United States

Delaware Residents May Face Fines for Standing Water

New Castle County property owners could be fined for having standing water because of mosquito concerns.

The News Journal of Wilmington reports that the New Castle County Council is considering giving the government the ability to penalize property owners $50 for having a mosquito-breeding habitat in their yards.

If the legislation passes, standing water in artificial containers such as old tires, buckets, fountains, bird baths and flower pots would have to be regularly emptied of water.

Tackett said the legislation is partially being motivated by recent national headlines about the mosquito-borne Zika virus. Most people who contract the virus have either mild or no symptoms, but it is suspected of causing miscarriages and serious birth defects.

Three Delaware residents have contracted the virus outside the United States.

Copyright AP - Associated Press
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