22 Beaches Tested Safe This Weekend, But D.P.N.R. Warns Residents To Refrain From Waters Due To Storm Water Runoff

The Department of Planning and Natural Resources said it tested 24 beaches this week and 22 proved to be safe for swimming and fishing. Even so, the department warned residents to refrain from the territory’s waters until further notice, citing storm water and sewage water runoff.

Here are the two advisories:

Storm Water Advisory: Due to the high volume of rainfall in the USVI expected this weekend from Tropical Storm Kirk, DPNR advises the public to refrain from using the coastal waters throughout the Territory until further notification. 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.

Sewage Water Advisory: DPNR advises the public to refrain from using the coastal waters in the Christiansted Harbor area until further notification, as due to mechanical issues with the LBJ VIWMA pump station, untreated sewage is overflowing from the sewer system into surface waters in the Christiansted Harbor.

D.P.N.R. said all persons should also be aware that storm water runoff may also contain contaminants or pollutants harmful to human health and therefore all persons should avoid areas of storm water runoff (i.e. guts, puddles, and drainage basins). D.P.N.R. said it will continue to monitor the impacted areas and waters

The two beaches found to be unsafe by D.P.N.R. were Coki Point and Bluebeard’s in St. Thomas.

All other waters tested were good to go:

St. Croix: Cramer’s Park, Shoy’s, New Fort (Ft. Louise Augusta), Buccaneer, Chenay Bay, Halfpenny, Dorsch, Frederiksted Public Beach, Cane Bay, Pelican Cove (Cormorant), Protestant and Cay Rainbow.

St. Thomas: Magen’s Bay, Brewer’s Bay, Lindbergh Bay, Water Bay, Sapphire, Vessup Bay, Bolongo Bay, Secret Harbor, Hull Bay and Lindquist.

Beaches on St. John were not tested and therefore the water quality of beaches there is unknown. Also untested, Frenchman’s Bay in St. Thomas, and Stoney Ground, Princess Condo Row and Grapetree Bay on St. Croix.