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 34 designated beaches throughout the Territory during the week of October 15-19, 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
- Gentle Winds
- Limetree Bay
- New Fort (Ft. Louise Augusta)
- Pelican Cove (Cormorant) Protestant Cay
- Princess Condo Row
- Rainbow
- Shoy’s
St. Thomas
- Bolongo Bay
- Brewer’s Bay
- Coki Point
- Frenchman’s Bay
- Hull Bay
- Lindbergh Bay
- Magen’s Bay
- Morningstar
- Secret Harbor
- Vessup Bay
- Water Bay
St. John
- Cruz Bay
- Frank Bay
- Great Cruz Bay
- Johnson 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. Croix
St. Thomas
- Bluebeard’s
- Lindquist
- Sapphire
St. John
WATER QUALITY UNKNOWN
Please Note: Samples were not collected at the following beaches:
- Stoney Ground and Grapetree Bay on St. Croix
Therefore, the water quality of these beaches, is unknown.
NOTES
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.