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8 sites on Saipan red-flagged
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Posted on Jan 26 2006
The Division of Environmental Quality has raised the red flag on eight locations on Saipan and has advised the public not to fish or swim within 300 feet of these locations for the next 48 hours or until otherwise notified.
The agency said samples collected from Tanapag Meeting Hall, DPW Channel Bridge, South Puerto Rico Dump, Smiling Cove Marina, American Memorial Park drainage, Drainage No. 1 (Fiesta Resort & Spa drainage), Garapan Fishing Dock, and Pacific Islands Club beach contained 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, studied have shown that storm 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 samples of marine recreational and storm drainage water from 38 locations on Saipan’s coast. The public is encouraged to contact DEQ at 664-8500 with any questions. (PR)
