Halfpenny Beach (Ha’Penny) on St. Croix and Water Bay in St. Thomas were the only two beaches deemed unsafe this week by the Department of Planning and Natural Resources. The government agency also did not test Grapetree Bay on St. Croix and Johnson Bay in St. Thomas, which means the status of said because was unknown as of Thursday, when D.P.N.R. issued the release.
To prove safety, D.P.N.R. samples enterococci bacteria and turbidity, which is a measure of water clarity.
Here are the safe beaches this weekend:
St. Thomas: Magen’s Bay, Brewer’s Bay, Sapphire, Lindquist, Frenchman’s Bay, Secret Harbor, Lindbergh Bay, Coki Point, Vessup Bay, Hull Bay, Bolongo Bay and Bluebeard’s.
St. Croix: Cramer’s Park, Shoy’s, New Fort (Ft. Louise Augusta), Chenay Bay, Dorsch, Frederiksted Public Beach, Cane Bay, Princess (Condo Row), Stony Ground, Pelican Cove (Cormorant), Protestant Cay, Rainbow and Buccaneer
St. John: Frank Bay, Oppenheimer, Great Cruz Bay and Cruz Bay.
D.P.N.R. said all persons should 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) or if any area appears discolored or has foul odors. DPNR will continue to monitor the impacted areas and waters.
For additional information regarding water quality call the Division of Environmental Protection at 773-1082 in St. Croix or 774-3320 in St. Thomas.