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 15 designated beaches throughout the Territory during the week of July 26 - 30, 2021 .

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 Beach
• Frederiksted Public Beach
• Halfpenny Beach
• New Fort
• Pelican Cove (Cormorant)
• Princess (Condo Row)
• Protestant Cay
• Rainbow Beach
• Shoy’s
• Stoney Ground

WATER QUALITY UNKNOWN

Please Note: Samples were not collected at the following beaches:

• Beaches on St. Thomas, St. John and Water Island were not sampled this week due to Covid-19.
• Gentle Winds, Columbus Landing 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). 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.