VDH advises not to use Pound River due to raw sewage being released

Virginia health officials have urged caution using the Pound River in Dickenson and Wise County due to a sewage release from the Town of Pound.

The sewage release is coming from the town’s wastewater treatment plant, and was first reported March 29 after a storm that caused excess sewage in the plant resulted in the release of untreated sewage into the Pound River. Repairs are ongoing to the plant’s collection system which is believed to be damaged. The advisory is in place on the river from the Town of Pound treatment plant and extends to the Flannagan Reservoir at the Skeetrock Bridge.

Recreational activities like swimming, tubing, and kayaking should be avoided until further notice.