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 19 designated beaches throughout the territory during the week of Jan. 25-29. The following beaches meet water quality standards and are considered safe for swimming and fishing:
St. Thomas
Lindbergh Bay
Sapphire Beach
Lindqvist Beach
Bolongo Bay
Vessup Bay
Coki Point
Frenchman’s Bay
Secret Harbor
Limetree Bay
Magens Bay
Bluebeard’s Beach
Water Bay
Brewers Bay
Hull Bay
Water Island
Honeymoon Beach
St. John
Great Cruz Bay
Oppenheimer
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:
Cruz Bay and Frank Bay on St. John.
Please note: Samples were not collected at the following beaches; therefore, the water quality at these beaches is unknown:
All beaches on St. Croix
Morningstar on St. Thomas
Johnson Bay on St. John
All persons should be aware that stormwater runoff may also contain contaminants or pollutants harmful to human health; therefore, all persons should avoid areas of stormwater 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 340-773-1082 on St. Croix or 340-514-1960 on St. Thomas.
