The Department of Planning and Natural Resources (DPNR) has announced 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 30 designated beaches throughout the territory during the week of November 1 – November 5, 2021. The following beaches meet water quality standards and are considered safe for swimming and fishing:
St. Croix
Stony Ground
Pelican Cove
Shoy’s Beach
Dorch Beach
New Fort (Fort Louise Augusta)
Chenay Bay
Frederiksted Public Beach
Buccaneer
Cramer’s Park
Rainbow Beach
Gentle Winds
Grapetree Bay
Cane Bay
Ha’ penny Beach
St. Thomas
Lindbergh Bay
Sapphire Beach
Lindqvist Beach
Frenchman’s Bay
Vessup Bay
Coki Point
Magens Bay
Secret Harbor
Water Bay
Brewers Bay
Hull Bay
Water Island
Honeymoon Beach
St. John
Cruz Bay
Oppenheimer
Great Cruz Bay
Frank Bay
The following beaches do not meet the water quality standards because they exceed the established enterococci bacteria threshold and, therefore, are not considered to be safe for swimming or fishing:
- Bluebeard’s Beach on St. Thomas
- Protestant Cay and Princess (Condo Row) on St. Croix.
Please note: Samples were not collected at the following beaches:
- Johnson Bay on St. John
- Bolongo Bay, Limetree Bay and Morningstar Beach on St. Thomas.
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; therefore, they 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.