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 March 23-27, 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
Protestant Cay
Cramer’s Park
Frederiksted Public Beach
Rainbow Beach
Ha’ penny
New Fort (Fort Louise Augusta)
Buccaneer
Cane Bay
Shoy’s
St. Thomas
Lindbergh Bay
Sapphire Beach
Frenchman’s Bay
Brewers Bay
Vessup Bay
Hull Bay
Bluebeard’s Beach
Magens Bay
Secret Harbor
Coki Point
Bolongo Bay
St. John
Cruz Bay
Oppenheimer
Johnson Bay
Frank Bay
The following beaches do not meet water quality standards because they exceed the established Enterococci Bacteria threshold and therefore are not considered to be safe for swimming or fishing:
St. Croix
Princess (Condo Row)
St. Thomas
Water Bay
Lindqvist Beach
St. John
Great Cruz Bay
Please Note: Samples were not collected at the following beach:
- Grapetree Bay
Therefore, the water quality of this beach is unknown.
All persons should also be aware that storm water runoff may also contain contaminants or pollutants harmful to human health and 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.