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Red flag up at Rota beach
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Posted on Feb 04 2009
The Division of Environment Quality has raised the red flag on a Rota beach adjacent to the Coral Garden and is warning the public not to fish or swim within 300 feet of this location for the next 48 hours or until notified.
DEQ said that samples collected from the site 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.
This week, DEQ analyzed samples of marine recreational and storm drainage water from 12 locations on Rota. Marine Water Quality Reports are also provided at www.deq.gov.mp/section.aspz?secID=4 and http://www.cnmicoralreef.net/wq/beachcloseweeklyresults.htm. Interested individuals and organizations may also receive e-mail notifications of the weekly marine water quality reports. To do so, send an e-mail to environment@deq.gov.mp.
For more information, contact DEQ at 664-8500. [B][I](DEQ)[/I][/B]
