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Beach Advisory for June 5-9

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 34 designated beaches throughout the territory during the week of June 5-9, 2017. Please note:  Grapetree Bay was not sampled this week.  The following beaches meet water quality standards and are safe for swimming or fishing:

St. Croix

Cramer Park

Pelican Cove (Comorant)

Rainbow

Chenay Bay

Cane Bay

Stoney Ground

Frederiksted Public Beach

Dorsch

Princess Condo Row

Shoy’s

Ha’ penny

New Fort (Ft. Louise Augusta)

Columbus Landing

Spratt Hall

Buccaneer

St. Thomas 

Bolongo Bay

Lindqvist

Magens Bay

 Sapphire

Vessup Bay

Lindbergh Bay

St. John

Oppenheimer

Frank 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. Croix

Protestant Cay

St. Thomas

Brewers Bay

Coki Point

Hull Bay

Water Bay

Secret Harbor

Frenchman’s Bay

Bluebeard’s

St. John

Great Cruz Bay

Johnson Bay

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, oil and grease, all of which are harmful to the waters of the territory.

DPNR will continue to monitor these popular swimming areas. It 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.

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