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Red flag up at 14 beaches
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Posted on Oct 31 2008
Red flag warnings are up for 11 beach sites on Saipan and one on Rota.
The Division of Environmental Quality has raised the red flag for the waters at Tanapag meeting hall, Central Repair Shop, Aqua Resort Hotel, DPW channel bridge, south Puerto Rico dump, Garapan fishing dock, Garapan Beach, Garapan beach drainage, Jeffries Beach, Marine Beach, Hidden Beach, North Laulau Beach, and south Laulau Beach on Saipan. A red flag waning is also in effect for West Harbor on Rota.
DEQ says the locations contained concentrations of fecal indicator bacteria, enterococci, that exceeded the CNMI’s marine water quality standards. The agency urges the public not to fish or swim within 300 feet of these locations for the next 28 hours or until otherwise notified.
According to DEQ, the enterococci bacteria could 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 in 50 locations on Saipan, 10 on Tinian, 12 on Rota, and 11 in the waters surrounding Managaha.
The public may contact DEQ at 664-8500 with any questions concerning the quality of the beach water. [B][I](Saipan Tribune)[/I][/B]
