The Department of Planning and Natural Resources tested 34 beaches throughout the week and found 6 of them — all in the St. Thomas-St. John District — to be unsafe for swimming and fishing this weekend, according to a release issued today.
The beaches were deemed unsafe because they exceeded the established enterococci bacteria threshold considered safe. They include Bluebeard’s and Water Bay on St. Thomas, and Johnson Bay, Frank Bay, Oppenheimer and Cruz Bay in St. John.
Additionally, Stoney Ground and Grapetree Bay on St. Croix were not tested, therefore their water quality was unknown to D.P.N.R.
All other beaches were safe for swimming and fishing:
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 Cay, Rainbow, Gentle Winds, and Princess Condo Row.
St. Thomas: Magen’s Bay, Brewer’s Bay, Lindbergh Bay, Sapphire, Coki Point, Bolongo, Vessup Bay, Bolongo Bay, Secret Harbor, Hull Bay, Lindquist, Frenchman’s Bay and Morningstar.
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). DPNR will continue to monitor the impacted areas and waters, D.P.N.R. said.
For additional information regarding water quality call the Division of Environmental Protection at 773-1082 in St. Croix or 774-3320 in St. Thomas.
Tags: beach advisory
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