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 Oct. 3 – Oct. 7, 2022. The following beaches meet water quality standards and are considered safe for swimming and fishing:
St. Croix
Stony Ground
Dorsch Beach
Frederiksted
First Target
Rainbow Beach
Ha’ penny Beach Cane Bay
Gentle Winds
Chenay Bay
Pelican Cove (Comorant)
Cramer’s Park Beach
Protestant Cay
New Fort (Fort Louise Augusta)
Buccaneer Beach
Shoy’s Beach
St. Thomas
Hull Bay
Magens Bay
Coki Point
Bolongo Bay
Lindqvist Beach
Sapphire Beach
Vessup Bay
Frenchman’s Bay
Secret Harbor
St. John
Cruz Bay
Great Cruz Bay
Frank Bay
Oppenheimer Beach
Johnson Bay
The following beaches do not meet water quality standards because they exceed the established enterococci bacteria threshold and, therefore, are not considered safe for swimming or fishing:
- Brewers Bay on St. Thomas
- Lindbergh Bay on St. Thomas
- Bluebeard’s Beach on St. Thomas.
Please note: Samples were not collected on the following beaches:
- Water Bay on St. Thomas
- Princess (Condo Row) on St. Croix
- Grapetree Bay on St. Croix.
Therefore, the water quality at these beaches is unknown.
All persons should be aware that stormwater runoff may also contain contaminants or pollutants harmful to human health; therefore, they should avoid areas of stormwater runoff (i.e., guts, puddles and drainage basins) or any area that appears discolored or has foul odors. DPNR will continue to monitor 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.
