The Department of Planning and Natural Resources has announced that four beaches on St. Croix — Cramer Park, Half Penny, Protestant Cay and Chenay Bay — are not safe for swimming and fishing this weekend.
Additionally, Princess (Condo Row) and Grapetree Bay were not tested, the department said. D.P.N.R. tested 33 beaches territory-wide this week.
To prove safety, D.P.N.R. samples enterococci bacteria and turbidity, which is a measure of water clarity.
Below, the waters deemed safe for swimming and fishing:
St. Croix | Shoy’s, New Fort (Ft. Louise Augusta), Dorsch, Frederiksted Public Beach, Cane Bay, Stony Ground, Spratt Hall, Pelican Cove (Cormorant), Rainbow, Columbus Landing and Buccaneer.
St. Thomas | Magen’s Bay, Brewer’s Bay, Sapphire, Lindquist, Frenchman’s Bay, Secret Harbor, Coki Point, Lindbergh Bay, Water Bay, Hull Bay, Vessup Bay, Bolongo Bay and Bluebeard’s.
St. John | Johnson Bay, Great Cruz Bay, Cruz Bay, Oppenheimer and Frank 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.