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 33 designated beaches throughout the territory during the week of Oct. 28 – Nov. 1, 2019. The following beaches meet water quality standards and are safe for swimming or fishing:
St. Croix
Shoy’s
New Fort (Fort Louise Augusta)
Dorsch Beach
Stony Ground
Pelican Cove (Cormorant)
Buccaneer
Rainbow
Protestant Cay
Princess (Condo Row)
Cane Bay
Ha’ penny
Gentle Winds
St. Thomas
Brewers Bay
Coki Point
Hull Bay
Magens Bay
Lindqvist
Lindbergh Bay
Sapphire
Morningstar
St. John
Oppenheimer
Cruz 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
Frederiksted Public Beach
Cramer’s Park
Chenay Bay
St. Thomas
Frenchman’s Bay
Bolongo Bay
Bluebeard’s
Vessup Bay
Water Bay
Secret Harbor
St. John
Great Cruz Bay
Frank Bay
Please note: Samples were not collected at the following beaches:
Grapetree Bay on St. Croix
Limetree Bay on St. Thomas
Therefore, the water quality of these beaches is unknown.
All persons should also be aware that storm water runoff may also contain contaminants or pollutants harmful to human health; 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.
