The Department of Planning and Natural Resources said on Friday that out of the 30 beaches it tested this week, only three tested as unsafe for swimming and fishing: Halfpenny on St. Croix, and Coki Point and Brewer’s Bay in St. Thomas. (Stoney Ground and Grapetree Bay on St. Croix, and Frenchman’s Bay on St. Thomas could not be sampled this week, D.P.N.R. said, therefore, the water quality of these beaches is unknown.) D.P.N.R. said on Friday that it had adopted a more stringent water quality program that would result in more beaches being deemed as unsafe.
All other waters were good to go.
St. Croix: Cramer Park, Pelican Cove (Comorant), Rainbow, Chenay Bay, Cane Bay, Dorsch, Protestant Cay, Buccaneer, Frederiksted Public Beach, New Fort (Ft. Louise Augusta), Princess, Condo Row and Shoy’s.
St. Thomas: Lindquist, Magen’s Bay, Vessup Bay, Bluebeards, Secret Harbor, Water Bay, Sapphire, Hull Bay, Lindbergh Bay and Bolongo Bay.
St. John: Cruz Bay, Oppenheimer, Great Cruz Bay, Johnson Bay and Frank Bay.
D.P.N.R. said high levels of enterococci bacteria and turbidity may be caused by runoff due to heavy rains, heavy marine vessel traffic, high wave activity near the shoreline, irresponsible recreational use, etc. Runoff can consist of sediment, pesticides, animal feces and oil & grease, all of which are harmful to the waters of the territory.
The agency says it will continue to monitor these popular swimming areas. D.P.N.R. also recommends that beachgoers use their own discretion when swimming or fishing at the designated beaches. If the waters appear muddy or murky or have foul odors, do not swim or fish.
For additional information regarding water quality call the Division of Environmental Protection at 773-1082 on St. Croix.
Tags: beach advisory usvi
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