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 November 26-30, 2018. The following beaches meet water quality standards and are safe for swimming or fishing:
St. Croix
- Cramer’s Park
- Shoy’s
- New Fort (Ft. Louise Augusta)
- Buccaneer
- Chenay Bay
- Dorsch
- Frederiksted Public Beach
- Halfpenny
- Cane Bay
- Pelican Cove (Cormorant) Protestant Cay
- Rainbow
- Gentle Winds
- Princess Condo Row
St. Thomas
- Magen’s Bay
- Brewer’s Bay
- Sapphire
- Lindquist
- Limetree Bay
- Vessup Bay
- Frenchman’s Bay
- Bolongo Bay
- Secret Harbor
- Morningstar
- Lindbergh Bay
- Bluebeard’s
- Coki Point
- Hull Bay
St. John
- Frank Bay
- Great Cruz Bay
- Johnson Bay
- Cruz Bay
- Oppenheimer
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:
- Stoney Ground and Grapetree Bay on St. Croix
Therefore, the water quality of these beaches is unknown.
NOTES
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) 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.