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Vessup Bay, St. Thomas Photo Credit: Karen Elowitt
The Department of Planning and Natural Resources (D.P.N.R.) has announced the Beach Water Quality Monitoring Program, which 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.
D.P.N.R. has advised the public of the following:
D.P.N.R. performed water quality analysis at 32 designated beaches throughout the territory during the week of December 2-6, 2019. The following beaches meet water quality standards and are safe for swimming or fishing:
St. Croix
Shoy’s
New Fort (Ft. Louise Augusta)
Stony Ground
Buccaneer
Rainbow
Protestant Cay
Gentle Winds
Pelican Cove (Cormorant)
Frederiksted Public Beach
Cramer’s Park
Dorsch Beach
Chenay Bay
Halfpenny
Cane Bay
St. Thomas
Hull Bay
Brewer’s Bay
Frenchman’s Bay
Bolongo Bay
Lindquist
Coki Point
Magen’s Bay
St. John
Oppenheimer
Cruz Bay
Johnson Bay
Frank Bay
Great Cruz Bay
The following beaches do not meet water quality standards because they exceed the established Enterococci Bacteria threshold and therefore are not considered to be safe for swimming or fishing:
St. Thomas
- Sapphire
- Lindbergh Bay
- Water Bay
- Vessup Bay
- Bluebeard’s
- Secret Harbor
Please Note: Samples were not collected at the following beaches:
Princess (Condo Row) and Grapetree Bay on St. Croix;
Limetree Bay and Morningstar on St. Thomas;
Therefore, the water quality of these beaches is unknown.
All persons should also 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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