GREAT BAY, Sint Maarten (DCOMM) – The Collective Prevention Services (CPS), a department within the Ministry of Public Health, Social Development and Labour, strongly advises against any swimming in Great Bay on Wednesday and Thursday morning.
This advisory is in relation to water that is being released into Great Bay from the ponds. Pumping of the Great Salt Pond is part of a control lowering of the water levels in the ponds.
This water can be contaminated, from amongst others, rainwater runoff into the ponds.
CPS advisory is a precautionary measure to prevent swimmers from coming into contact with any contaminated water that could pose a health risk if ingested or by skin contact, thereby making the person vulnerable to recreational water illnesses.
The Ministry of Public Housing, Spatial Planning, Environment and Infrastructure (Ministry VROMI) commenced on Tuesday at 6.00pm with the pumping of water into Great Bay. This will continue for eight hours. The same timeframe will take place on Wednesday at 6.00pm.
