The Department of Planning and Natural Resources said Friday that out of the 31 beaches it tested for safety this weekend, 29 were safe for swimming and fishing, with two -- Coki Point in St. Thomas and Johnson Bay in St. John -- returning unsafe results. Additionally, Princess (Condo Row) and Grapetree Bay on St. Croix were not tested, therefore the beaches' water quality is unknown.
To prove safety, D.P.N.R. samples enterococci bacteria and turbidity, which is a measure of water clarity.
Here are the safe beaches this weekend:
St. Thomas: Magen’s Bay, Brewer’s Bay, Sapphire, Lindquist, Frenchman’s Bay, Secret Harbor, Lindbergh Bay, Water Bay, Vessup Bay, Hull Bay, Bolongo Bay and Bluebeard’s.
St. Croix: Cramer’s Park, Shoy’s, New Fort (Ft. Louise Augusta), Chenay Bay, Dorsch, Frederiksted Public Beach, Halfpenny, Cane Bay, Stony Ground, Pelican Cove (Cormorant), Protestant Cay, Rainbow and Buccaneer.
St. John: Frank Bay, Oppenheimer, Great Cruz Bay and Cruz 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.
Advertisements
