DISCOVERY BAY — State Department of Health officials have recommended upgrading the water quality status of the south end of Discovery Bay, which means that a 50-acre site, which had been closed to commercial shellfish growing for about 20 months, can be reopened.
The southern end of the shellfish-rich bay had been classified as “restricted,” because of elevated fecal coliform levels found in water-quality tests.
“After thorough efforts to clean up the waters in Discovery Bay, conditions have improved enough to reopen the area to commercial shellfish harvest,” said Neil Harrington, Jefferson County Water Quality program manager, on Friday.
“This is great news.”
Bob Woolrich, manager of the shellfish growing area section of the state Health Department’s water quality division, said the agency has sent an initial order to Jefferson County Public Health notifying the county of the change in status.
“The water quality there has improved, and now meets the [national] standard,” Woolrich said.
Before the order becomes final in mid-October, a public comment period of five weeks is allowed.
