The Department of Planning and Natural Resources (DPNR) has announced 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 34 designated beaches throughout the territory during the week of Nov. 19 – 23, 2018. The following beaches meet water quality standards and are safe for swimming or fishing:
St. Croix
Cramer’s Park
Shoy’s
New Fort (Ft. Louise Augusta)
Buccaneer
Chenay Bay
Dorsch
Frederiksted Public Beach
Ha’ penny
Cane Bay
Pelican Cove (Cormorant) Protestant Cay
Rainbow
Gentle Winds
Princess Condo Row
St. Thomas
Magens Bay
Brewers Bay
Sapphire
Lindqvist
Limetree Bay
Vessup Bay
Frenchman’s Bay
Bolongo Bay
Secret Harbor
Morningstar
Lindbergh Bay
Bluebeard’s
Coki Point
Hull Bay
St. John
Frank Bay
Great Cruz Bay
Johnson Bay
Cruz Bay
Oppenheimer
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. Thomas
Water Bay
Please note: Samples were not collected at the following beaches: Stoney Ground and Grapetree Bay on St. Croix; therefore, the water quality of these beaches is unknown.
All persons should also be aware that storm water runoff may 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 any area that 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.
