Two Beaches Not Safe, Twelve Could Not Be Tested, D.P.N.R. Warns

The Department of Planning and Natural Resources announced in its latest beach advisory that two beaches proved to be unsafe while another ten could not be tested, because “access to them or the use of their waters pose a risk to health and safety.”

Most of the territory’s waters, though, are safe for swimming and fishing this weekend.

First, however, the unsafe beaches — found only on St. Croix this weekend — are Shoy’s, seen above, and Chenay Bay.

The beaches that could not be sampled are Rainbow, Stoney Ground, Halfpenny, Grapetree Bay and Columbus Landing on St. Croix. On St. Thomas, they are Frenchman’s Bay, Limetree, Water Bay, Hull Bay and Morningstar.

Beaches deemed by D.P.N.R. as safe for swimming and fishing are the following:

St. Thomas: 

Magen’s Bay, Vessup Bay, Secret Harbor, Sapphire, Lindbergh Bay, Coki Point, Bolongo Bay, Brewer’s Bay, Lindquist and Bluebeards.

St. Croix:

Cane Bay, Dorsch, New Fort (Ft. Louise Augusta), Frederiksted Public Beach, Gentle Winds, Davis Bay, Protestant Cay, Cramer Park, Buccaneer, Pelican Cove (Cormorant), and Princess Condo Row – Mill Harbor.

St. John:

Cruz Bay, Oppenheimer, Great Cruz Bay, Frank Bay and Johnson Bay.

Due to heavy rainfall this week, the Division of Environmental Protection (DEP) anticipates that negative environmental impacts will be caused by storm-water runoff, high surf zones and anticipated sewer system overflows.

DPNR advises the public to use caution when using any of the coastal waters throughout the Territory. DPNR is also advising parents to instruct their children to keep away from storm water-impacted beaches as well as areas with manholes and storm water flooding. There may be an elevated health risk to anyone swimming in storm water-impacted areas as a result of increased concentrations of bacteria.

All persons should also be aware that storm water runoff due to hurricanes and tropical storms may also contain contaminants or pollutants harmful to human health due to storm debris and therefore all persons should avoid areas of storm water runoff (i.e. guts, puddles, and drainage basins). 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 in St. Croix or 774-3320 in St. Thomas.