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 37 designated beaches throughout the Territory during the week of October 12 – October 16, 2020. The following beaches meet water quality standards and are considered safe for swimming and fishing:
St. Croix
- Cane Bay
- Chenay Bay
- Cramer’s Park
- Dorsch Beach
- Frederiksted Public Beach
- Halfpenny Beach
- Grapetree Bay
- Pelican Cove (Cormorant)
- Princess (Condo Row)
- Protestant Cay
- Rainbow Beach
- Shoy’s
- Stoney Ground
St. Thomas
- Bluebeard’s Beach
- Bolongo Bay
- Brewer’s Bay
- Coki Point
- Frenchman’s Bay
- Hull Bay
- Lindbergh Bay
- Lindquist Beach
- Magen’s Bay
- Sapphire Beach
- Secret Harbor
- Vessup Bay
- Water Bay
St. John
- Cruz Bay
- Frank Bay
- Great Cruz Bay
- Johnson 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:
- Secret Harbor on St. Thomas.
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 any area that 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 514-1960 in St. Thomas.