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 18 designated beaches throughout the territory during July 8 to July 12. The following beaches meet water quality standards and are considered safe for swimming and fishing:
St. Thomas
Lindbergh Bay
Secret Harbor
Bluebeard’s Beach
Frenchman’s Bay
Hull Bay
Lindqvist Beach
Vessup Bay
Bolongo Bay
Magens Bay
Brewers Bay
St. John
Great Cruz Bay
Johnson Bay
Cruz Bay
Oppenheimer Beach
Frank Bay
Water Island
Honeymoon Beach
The following beaches do not meet water quality standards because they exceeded the established enterococci bacteria threshold, therefore; they are not considered safe for swimming or fishing:
- Coki Point and Sapphire Beach on St. Thomas.
Please note: Samples were not collected on the following beach due to excessive sargassum:
- Water Bay on St. Thomas.
Samples were not collected on St. Croix.
Therefore, the water quality at these beaches is unknown.
All persons should be aware that storm water runoff may also contain contaminants or pollutants harmful to human health and, therefore, should avoid areas of storm water 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.
