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14 Saipan beaches red-flagged
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Posted on Mar 28 2008
The Division of Environmental Quality has raised the red flag on 14 beach sites on Saipan and is warning the public not to fish or swim within 300 feet of these locations for the next 48 hours or until notified.
Affected sites are beaches at the Tanapag Meeting Hall, Central Repair Shop, DPW Channel Bridge, South Puerto Rico Dump, American Memorial Park, Micro Beach, Dai-Ichi drainage, Hafa-Adai Hotel, Garapan Fishing Dock, Garapan Beach Drainage, Sugar Dock, Tank Beach, Hidden Beach, and Unai Dangkulo.
DEQ said that samples collected from these locations were found to contain excessive concentrations of fecal indicator bacteria (enterococci) that exceeded the CNMI Marine Water Quality Standards. These bacteria can indicate the presence of human and animal waste in the water.
However, studies have shown that storm water runoff in tropical environments may also contain these bacteria from the natural environment, which may not be directly associated with public health concerns.
DEQ analyzes water samples collected from Saipan’s recreational beaches and storm drainages every Wednesday. For more information, contact DEQ at 664-8500.[B][I] (DEQ)[/I][/B]
