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11 Saipan beaches red-flagged
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Posted on Aug 21 2008
The Division of Environmental Quality has red-flagged 11 beach sites on Saipan after samples showed excessive concentrations of fecal indicator bacteria. DEQ advises the public not to fish or swim within 300 feet of these locations for the next 48 hours or until otherwise notified.
The affected beaches are the Pau-Pau Beach, San Roque School, DPW Channel Bridge, S. Puerto Rico Dump, Hafa-Adai Hotel, Hafa-Adai Drainage, Garapan Fishing Dock, Garapan Beach Drainage, Sugar Dock, CK Dist #2 Drainage, and San Antonio Lift Station.
DEQ said samples collected from these locations were found to contain excessive concentrations of 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. This week, it obtained samples from 38 locations on Saipan’s coast.
For more information, contact DEQ at 664-8500. [B][I](DEQ)[/I][/B]
