The Department of Planning and Natural Resources said four out of 30 beaches it tested this week were not safe for swimming and fishing.
The unsafe waters are Princess Condo Row and Halfpenny on St. Croix, and Brewer’s Bay and Hull Bay in St. Thomas.
Below, the safe beaches:
St. Croix: Cramer’s 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.
St. Thomas: Lindquist, Magen’s Bay, Vessup Bay, Bluebeards, Secret Harbor, Water Bay, Sapphire, Lindbergh Bay and Coki Point.
St. John: Oppenheimer, Great Cruz Bay, Johnson Bay, Frank Bay and Bay.
The department said Stoney Ground, Shoy’s Beach and Buccaneer Beach on St. Croix and Frenchman’s Bay on St. Thomas could not be sampled this week, therefore, the water quality of these beaches is 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 advisory, usvi
Share On Facebook
Tweet It
