The Department of Planning and Natural Resources on Wednesday said that it tested 34 of the territory's beaches this week, and 33 of them proved to be safe for swimming and fishing.
D.P.N.R.'s Beach Water Quality Monitoring Program evaluates weekly water quality at popular swimming beaches throughout the territory by sampling for enterococci bacteria and turbidity, which is a measure of water clarity.
The only beach unsafe for swimming and fishing this weekend is Water Bay in St. Thomas. Also, Stoney Ground and Grapetree Bay on St. Croix were not sampled, therefore said beaches water quality remains unknown.
St. Croix safe beaches
Cramer’s Park, Shoy’s, New Fort (Ft. Louise Augusta), Buccaneer, Chenay Bay, Dorsch, Frederiksted Public Beach, Halfpenny, Cane Bay, Pelican Cove (Cormorant), Protestant Cay, Rainbow, Gentle Winds and Princess Condo Row.
St. Thomas safe beaches
Magen’s Bay, Brewer’s Bay, Sapphire, Lindquist, Limetree Bay, Vessup Bay, Frenchman’s Bay, Bolongo Bay, Secret Harbor, Morningstar, Lindbergh Bay, Bluebeard’s, Coki Point and Hull Bay.
St. John safe beaches
Frank Bay, Great Cruz Bay, Johnson Bay, Cruz Bay and Oppenheimer.
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
