Three beaches in St. Thomas tested unsafe for swimming and fishing this week, and the Department of Planning and Natural Resources is discouraging use of their waters this weekend.
D.P.N.R. said in a release Friday that Water Bay, Coki Point and Bluebeard’s — all St. Thomas beaches — were not safer for swimming and fishing. To prove safety, D.P.N.R. samples enterococci bacteria and turbidity, which is a measure of water clarity.
Additionally, Graeptree Bay and Princess Condo Row on St. Croix were not tested, therefore their water quality is unknown, the department said.
The safe beaches territory-wide are:
St. Croix | Shoy’s, New Fort (Ft. Louise Augusta), Dorsch, Frederiksted Public Beach, Stony Ground, Spratt Hall, Pelican Cove (Cormorant), Rainbow, Columbus Landing, Buccaneer, Protestant Cay, Chenay Bay, Cramer’s Park, Halfpenny and Cane Bay.
St. Thomas | Magen’s Bay, Brewer’s Bay, Lindbergh Bay, Lindquist, Sapphire, Bolongo Bay, Secret Harbor, Vessup Bay, Hull Bay and Frenchman’s Bay.
St. John | Great Cruz Bay, Cruz Bay, Frank Bay, Oppenheimer and Johnson Bay.
D.P.N.R. said all persons should be aware that storm water runoff may also contain contaminants or pollutants harmful to human health and therefore all persons should avoid areas of storm water runoff (i.e. guts, puddles, and drainage basins) or if any area appears discolored or has foul odors. DPNR will continue to monitor the impacted areas and waters.
For additional information regarding water quality call the Division of Environmental Protection at 773-1082 in St. Croix or 774-3320 in St. Thomas.
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