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 31 designated beaches throughout the territory during the week of May 11-15, 2020. The following beaches meet water quality standards and are safe for swimming or fishing:
St. Croix
Stony Ground
Pelican Cove (Cormorant)
Chenay Bay
Dorsch Beach
Sprat Hall
Columbus Landing
Frederiksted Public Beach
Rainbow Beach
Ha ‘penny Beach
New Fort (Ft. Louise Augusta)
Buccaneer
Cramer’s Park
Cane Bay
Shoy’s
St. Thomas
Lindbergh Bay
Sapphire Beach
Lindqvist Beach
Brewers Bay
Vessup Bay
Water Bay
Hull Bay
Bluebeard’s Beach
Magens Bay
Secret Harbor
Coki Point
Bolongo Bay
St. John
Cruz Bay
Oppenheimer
Great Cruz Bay
Frank Bay
The following beach does not meet water quality standards because it exceeds the established enterococci bacteria threshold and, therefore, is not considered to be safe for swimming or fishing:
Please note: Samples were not collected at the following beaches:
Johnson Bay on St. John
- Princesse (Condo Row), Grapetree Bay and Protestant Cay on St. Croix
- Frenchman’s Bay on St. Thomas
Therefore, the water quality at these beaches is unknown.
All persons should also be aware that storm water runoff may also contain contaminants or pollutants harmful to human health; 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 on St. Croix or 774-3320 on St. Thomas.