The Department of Planning and Natural Resources (DPNR) announces that the Beach Water
Quality Monitoring Program, which evaluates weekly water quality at popular swimming
beaches throughout the Territory by sampling for Enterococci Bacteria and Turbidity, which is a
measure of water clarity, advises the public of the following:
SAFE FOR SWIMMING OR FISHING
DPNR performed water quality analysis at 31 designated beaches throughout the Territory
during the week of August 27-31, 2018. All sampled beaches meet water quality standards
and are safe for swimming or fishing:
Cruz Bay (St. John)
St. Croix
- Buccaneer
- Cane Bay
- Chenay Bay
- Columbus Landing
- Cramer Park
- Dorsch
- Frederiksted Public Beach
- Halfpenny
- New Fort (Ft. Louise Augusta)
- Pelican Cove (Cormorant)
- Protestant Cay
- Rainbow
- Shoy’s
- Spratt Hall
St. Thomas
- Bluebeards
- Bolongo Bay
- Brewer’s Bay
- Coki Point
- Hull Bay
- Lindbergh Bay
- Lindquist
- Magen’s Bay
- Sapphire Water Bay
- Secret Harbor
- Vessup Bay
- Water Bay
St. John
- Cruz Bay
- Frank Bay
- Great Cruz Bay
- Johnson Bay
- Oppenheimer
WATER QUALITY UNKNOWN
Please Note: Samples were not collected at the following beaches:
- Stoney Ground, Princess Condo Row and Grapetree Bay on St. Croix.
- Frenchman’s Bay on St. Thomas.
Therefore, the water quality of these beaches is unknown.
STORM WATER ADVISORY NOTE: Due to the high volume of rainfall in the USVI
Territory this week, 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.
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.
For additional information regarding water quality call the Division of Environmental Protection
at 773-1082 in St. Croix or 774-3320 in St. Thomas.
> Download this Beach Advisory in PDF format