Most beaches that the Department of Planning and Natural Resources tested this week proved to be safe for the Easter weekend, with only Halfpenny and Princess Condo Row beaches on St. Croix, and Hull Bay and Brewer’s Bay in St. Thomas, testing unsafe for swimming and fishing.
All tested waters in St. John were good to go.
Safe beaches on St. Croix: Cramer Park, Pelican Cove (Comorant), Rainbow, Cane Bay, Dorsch, Protestant Cay, Shoy’s, New Fort (Ft. Louise Augusta), Buccaneer, Frederiksted Public Beach, Chenay Bay and Grapetree Bay.
Safe beaches on St. Thomas: Lindquist, Magen’s Bay, Vessup Bay, Bluebeards, Secret Harbor, Water Bay, Sapphire, Lindbergh Bay and Coki Point.
Safe beaches on St. John: Oppenheimer, Great Cruz Bay, Johnson Bay, Frank Bay and Cruz Bay.
D.P.N.R. said Stoney Ground on St. Croix and Frenchman’s Bay and Bolongo Bay on St. Thomas could not be sampled this week. Therefore the water quality of these beaches were unknown.
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 adivsory
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