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:
DPNR performed water quality analysis at 29 designated beaches throughout the territory during the week of September 2-6, 2019. The following beaches meet water quality standards and are safe for swimming or fishing:
St. Croix
Shoy’s
New Fort (Fort Louise Augusta)
Dorsch
Frederiksted Public Beach
Stony Ground
Pelican Cove (Cormorant)
Rainbow
Buccaneer
Protestant Cay
Chenay Bay
Cramer’s Park
Ha’ penny
Cane Bay
St. Thomas
Lindbergh Bay
Lindqvist
Sapphire
Bluebeard’s
Brewers Bay
Secret Harbor
Vessup Bay
Hull Bay
Frenchman’s Bay
St. John
Cruz Bay
Oppenheimer
Frank Bay
The following beaches do not meet water quality standards because they exceed the established enterococci bacteria threshold; therefore, they are not considered to be safe for swimming or fishing:
St. Thomas
Water Bay
Magens Bay
Coki Point
St. John
Great Cruz Bay
Please note: Samples were not collected at the following beaches:
Bolongo Bay, St. Thomas
Johnson Bay, St. John
Princess (Condo Row) and Grapetree Bay, St. Croix
Therefore, the water quality of these beaches is unknown.
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 on St. Croix or 774-3320 on St. Thomas
