The Department of Planning and Natural Resources said on Friday that of the 30 beaches it tested this week, four, all of which are in St. Thomas, proved to be unsafe for swimming and fishing.
The four beaches are Water Bay, Hull Bay, Bluebeard’s and Secret Harbor. Additionally, Princess (Condo Row) and Grapetree Bay on St. Croix were not tested (it’s been a while since D.P.N.R. tested Grapetree Bay), along with Johnson Bay on St. John.
To prove safety, D.P.N.R. samples enterococci bacteria and turbidity, which is a measure of water clarity.
The safe beaches territory-wide are:
St. Croix | Cramer’s Park, Shoy’s, New Fort (Ft. Louise Augusta), Chenay Bay, Dorsch, Frederiksted Public Beach, Cane Bay, Stony Ground, Pelican Cove (Cormorant), Protestant Cay, Rainbow and Buccaneer.
St. Thomas |Magen’s Bay, Brewer’s Bay, Sapphire, Lindquist, Frenchman’s Bay, Lindbergh Bay, Coki Point, Vessup Bay and Bolongo Bay.
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.
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