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HomeCommunityEnvironmentBeach Advisory for February 5-9

Beach Advisory for February 5-9

Magens Bay beach, St. Thomas

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 29 designated beaches throughout the territory during the week of Feb. 5-9, 2018.  The following beaches meet water quality standards and are safe for swimming or fishing:         

St. Croix

Cramer’s Park

Pelican Cove (Comorant)

Rainbow

Chenay Bay

Cane Bay

Frederiksted Public Beach

Dorsch

Ha’ penny

Princess – Condo Row

Buccaneer

New Fort (Ft. Louise Augusta)

Protestant Cay

St. Thomas                

Lindqvist

Magens Bay

Lindbergh Bay

Bluebeard’s

Brewers Bay

Coki Point

Sapphire

Shoy’s Beach

St. John

Cruz Bay

Oppenheimer

Great Cruz Bay

Johnson Bay

Frank Bay

The following beaches do not meet water quality standards because they exceed the established enterococci bacteria threshold; therefore they are not considered to be safe for swimming or fishing:

St. Thomas

Hull Bay

Water Bay

Vessup Bay

Secret Harbor

Please note: Bolongo Bay, Frenchman’s Bay, Grapetree Bay and Stoney Ground could not be sampled this week; therefore, the water quality is unknown.

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. 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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