The Virgin Islands National Park on Monday announced an expanded water quality testing program to assess fecal coliform bacteria within key boat mooring areas in the territory.
The Park said the coronavirus pandemic has resulted in use changes in park bays where many vessels are mooring. For many years park staff have monitored fecal coliform bacteria levels monthly at Maho, Hawksnest, and Trunk Bay beaches, in accordance with EPA recreational water quality standards. Water samples are analyzed by an EPA and state-certified lab in St. Thomas.
The monitoring frequency at these areas was increased on April 13 to weekly sample collection.
"We are pleased to report the results are well-within the safe limits for swimming under EPA recreational water quality standards," the Park said. The monitoring program was also expanded April 13 to include randomized sample collection at eight additional locations in the park, and, in Virgin Islands Coral Reef National Monument, the bays of Hurricane Hole. The previous and expanded areas now encompass about 90 percent of the boat mooring areas in the park.
Weekly samples provide a general indicator for discharges of fecal coliform bacteria, and collection sites are randomized within each bay. The results from the previous two weeks are well below EPA threshold limits for recreational water and are consistent with baseline values the park has collected for several years. Based on water quality test results from samples collected and analyzed the past few weeks, the bays and beaches within the park and in the monument, the bays of Hurricane Hole, are safe for swimming and other activities, the Park said.
The expanded water sampling sites, as well as an increased sample frequency to weekly collection at the existing three sites, will continue as long as the territory is under a state of emergency. The park will provide periodic updates to the community regarding future sample results, according to the release.
The Park also thanked the mariners staying for extended periods in both territorial and park waters for their diligence in assuring that to either discharge waste a minimum three miles from shore or arranging for a pump out service.
The National Park Service encouraged people who choose to visit the waters of Virgin Islands National Park during this pandemic to adhere to?guidance from the?Centers for Disease Control and Prevention?and territory and local public health authorities to protect visitors and employees. As services are limited, the NPS urges visitors to continue to practice "?Leave No Trac"e principles, including pack-in and pack-out, to keep outdoor spaces safe and healthy. Law enforcement staff will remain on duty and may be reached at 1-866-995-8467.
"The health and safety of our visitors, employees, volunteers, and partners is our number one priority," the Park said.
The National Park Service (NPS) is working with federal, territory, and local authorities to closely monitor COVID-19.
Contact Thomas Kelley at (340) 690-2440 should you have any questions.
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