While most of the territory’s waters proved to be safe for swimming and fishing this weekend, two beaches — Cramer Park (above) on St. Croix and Water Bay in St. Thomas — were deemed not safe because they exceeded the established enterococci bacteria threshold, the Department of Planning and Natural Resources said in its latest beach advisory.
There were also five beaches that could not be tested because access to them or the use of their waters posed a risk to health and safety, and therefore their water quality is unknown.
The untested beaches are: Rainbow Beach, Chenay Bay, and Protestant Cay on St. Croix, and Morningstar, Stoney Ground and Bolongo Bay in St. Thomas.
All other beaches were considered safe:
St. Croix
Pelican Cove (Comorant), Cane Bay, Frederiksted Public Beach, Dorsch, Princess, Condo Row, Shoy’s, Halfpenny, Spratt Hall New Fort (Ft. Louise Augusta), Buccaneer, Columbus Landing, Grapetree Bay and Gentle Winds.
St. Thomas
Lindquist, Magen’s Bay, Vessup Bay, Bluebeards, Coki Point, Sapphire, Brewer’s Bay, Secret Harbor, Lindbergh Bay, Hull Bay, Frenchman’s Bay and Limetree.
St. John
Cruz Bay, Oppenheimer, Great Cruz Bay, Frank Bay and Johnson Bay.
D.P.N.R. said persons should be aware that storm water runoff, due to hurricanes and tropical storms, may also contain contaminants or pollutants harmful to human health. This is due to storm debris, D.P.N.R. said, and therefore all persons should use their own discretion when swimming or fishing.
If the waters appear muddy or murky or have foul odors, do not swim or fish, the government department/agency warned. D.P.N.R. said it will continue to monitor the impacted areas and waters.
For additional information regarding water quality, call the Division of Environmental Protection at 340-773-1082 in St. Croix, or 340-774-3320 in St. Thomas.
Tags: beach advisory, usvi
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