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 36 designated beaches throughout the Territory during the week of Dec. 6 – Dec. 10, 2021. The following beaches meet water quality standards and are considered safe for swimming and fishing:
St. Croix
Stony Ground
Gentle Winds
Buccaneer
Dorsch Beach
Pelican Cove
Ha’ penny Beach
Frederiksted Public Beach
Protestant Cay
Chenay Bay
Rainbow Beach
Princess
Cramer’s Park
Cane Bay
New Fort (Fort Louise Augusta)
St. Thomas
Lindbergh Bay
Sapphire Beach
Lindqvist Beach
Brewers Bay
Vessup Bay
Coki Point
Frenchman’s Bay
Secret Harbor
Bluebeard’s Beach
Magens Bay
Hull Bay
Bolongo Bay
Limetree Bay
Morningstar
Water Island
Honeymoon Beach
St. John
Oppenheimer
Cruz Bay
Frank Bay
The following beaches do not meet the water quality standards because they exceed the established enterococci bacteria threshold; therefore they are not considered to be safe for swimming or fishing:
Water Bay on St. Thomas
Shoy’s on St. Croix
Great Cruz Bay on St. John.
Please note: Samples were not collected at the following beaches:
Grapetree Bay on St. Croix
Johnson Bay on St. John.
Therefore, the water quality at these beaches is unknown.
All persons should be aware that storm water runoff may also contain contaminants or pollutants harmful to human health, and therefore, 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 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.
