The Department of Planning and Natural Resources (DPNR) announces that 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, advises the public of the following:
DPNR performed water quality analysis at 32 designated beaches throughout the territory during the week of Sept. 26-30, 2016. The following beaches meet water quality standards and are safe for swimming or fishing:
St. Croix
Protestant Cay
Buccaneer
Cramer Park
Pelican Cove (Comorant)
Shoy’s
Rainbow
Chenay Bay
New Fort (Ft. Louise Augusta)
Ha’ penny
Dorsch
Grapetree Bay
Cane Bay
Princess (Condo Row)
Stoney Ground
Frederiksted Public Beach
St. Thomas
Lindqvist
Coki Point
Bluebeard’s
Secret Harbor
Bolongo Bay
Frenchman’s Bay
Sapphire
Hull Bay
Magens Bay
Lindbergh Bay
Brewers Bay
Vessup Bay
St. John
Johnson Bay
Cruz Bay
Oppenheimer
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
Water Bay
St. John
Great Cruz Bay
Note: Due to heavy rains this week brought on by Tropical Storm Matthew, the Division of Environmental Protection (DEP) anticipates that negative environmental impacts will be caused by storm water runoff. Therefore, DPNR advises the public to use additional caution when using any coastal waters throughout the territory. It is also advising parents to instruct their children to keep away from storm water-impacted beaches as well as areas with manholes and storm water flooding. There may be an elevated health risk to anyone swimming in storm water-impacted areas as a result of increased concentrations of bacteria.
High levels of enterococci bacteria and turbidity may be caused by runoff due to heavy rains, heavy marine vessel traffic, high wave activity near the shoreline, irresponsible recreational use, etc. Runoff can consist of sediment, pesticides, animal feces and oil & grease, all of which are harmful to the waters of the territory.
DPNR will continue to monitor these popular swimming areas. DPNR also recommends that people use their own discretion when swimming or fishing at the designated beaches. If the waters appear muddy or murky or have foul odors, do not swim or fish.
For additional information regarding water quality, call the Division of Environmental Protection at 773-1082 on St. Croix.
