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22 public beaches unsafe for swimming
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Posted on May 12 2000
The Division of Environmental Quality has raised the red flags on 22 Saipan beaches effective in the next 48 hours or until otherwise notified due to the presence of fecal coliform.
Red flags mark a warning urging the public not to fish or swim within 300 feet of the said locations.
The public is being warned to avoid the beaches at Tanapag meeting hall, DPW channel bridge, Micro beach, Hyatt Regency, Dai-ichi hotel, drainage #1, Samoan Housing, drainage #2, Garapan fishing dock, Garapan beach, and Garapan beach drainage.
DEQ is further warning the public to stay away from the beaches at Diamond Hotel, Grand Hotel, Saipan Community School, Sugar Dock, CK Dist. #2 drainage, CK #4 Lally Beach, Chalan Piao, Hopwood Junior High School, San Antonio, PIC, and San Antonio Sewer Lift station.
The environmental quality analyzes water samples collected from Saipan’s recreational beaches and storm drainages every Wednesday.
Samples collected from the tested locations contain excessive concentrations of two fecal indicator bacteria (fecal coliform and enterococci) that exceeded the CNMI Marine Water Quality Standards.
These bacteria can indicate the presence of human and animal waste in the water.
Samples collected from the mentioned locations contained excessive concentrations of at least one of the bacteriological indicators. (MM)
