Oct. 6, 2004 – Last weekend the Department of Public Works reported that, during work on the wastewater main going through LBJ Housing Community, it would be necessary to pump sewage out to Long Reef. Now, the beaches in the area are unsafe for swimming.
A press release Wednesday from the Department of Planning and Natural Resources advised "that Princess beach, or Condo Row, does not meet water quality standards for swimming or fishing."
On Tuesday, according to the release, the Division of Environmental Protection's beach water quality monitoring program performed water quality analysis around St.. Croix and found only Princess beach with an increased concentration of bacteria.
Dean C. Plaskett, DPNR commissioner, suggested the public refrain from fishing or bathing in these waters and to instruct their children to keep away from the Princess beach area
He added that his department would continue to monitor those impacted areas and waters.
Wayne D. Callwood, Department of Public Works commissioner, said in a release last week that the pumping out to Long Reef would begin Friday night when work started on the sewer main. He said the work should be complete within four days.
For information on water quality, call the division of environmental protection at 773-1082.
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