Indian River Bay affected by Millsboro sewage spill

The Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control has closed recreational clam and mussel harvesting in the Indian River Bay after raw sewage was discharged into a Millsboro tributary Wednesday.

The sewage was released into Iron Branch, just south of town, when "a pump station connected to the town of Millsboro's sanitary sewer system failed," the department said in a news release.

The spill was reported to the department around 10:45 a.m. Wednesday, according to department spokesperson Nikki Lavoie.

"The town was able to end the discharge around noon (Wednesday) and was maintaining pumping efforts to prevent any additional overflow," Lavoie said.

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The amount of sewage spilled was not provided.

The department is "monitoring repairs" at the Millsboro pump station. Delaware Fish and Wildlife police are patrolling and monitoring the area to enforce the closure, which will be in effect through Aug. 24, as per National Shellfish Sanitation Program requirements. The department recommended people limit contact with the water in the upper Indian River Bay over the next few days, especially in the area of Iron Branch.

The harvest of crabs, conch and finfish are not affected by the closure, nor are oysters grown commercially under aquaculture leases in Rehoboth Bay. The recreational harvest of oysters is prohibited in Delaware.

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Shannon Marvel McNaught reports on Sussex County and beyond. Reach her at [email protected] or on Twitter @MarvelMcNaught