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 24 designated beaches throughout the Territory during the week of September 24-28, 2018. The following beaches meet water quality standards and are safe for swimming or fishing:
St. Croix
- Buccaneer
- Cane Bay
- Chenay Bay
- Cramer’s Park
- Dorsch
- Frederiksted Public Beach
- Halfpenny
- New Fort (Ft. Louise Augusta)
- Pelican Cove (Cormorant) Protestant Cay
- Rainbow
- Shoy’s
St. Thomas
- Brewer’s Bay
- Bolongo Bay
- Hull Bay
- Lindbergh Bay
- Lindquist
- Magen’s Bay
- Sapphire
- Secret Harbor
- Vessup Bay
- Water Bay
NOT CONSIDERED TO BE SAFE FOR SWIMMING OR FISHING
The following beaches do not meet water quality standards because they exceed the established Enterococci Bacteria threshold and therefore are not considered to be safe for swimming or fishing:
St. Thomas
WATER QUALITY UNKNOWN
Please Note: Samples were not collected at the following beaches:
- All Beaches on St. John
- 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.
NOTES
STORM WATER ADVISORY NOTE: Due to the high volume of rainfall in the USVI Territory expected this weekend from Tropical Storm Kirk, 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.
SEWAGE WATER ADVISORY NOTE: DPNR advises the public to refrain from using the coastal waters in the Christiansted Harbor area until further notification, as due to mechanical issues with the LBJ VIWMA pump station, untreated sewage is overflowing from the sewer system into surface waters in the Christiansted Harbor.
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.