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Six Saipan beaches red-flagged
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Posted on Mar 26 2009
The Division of Environmental Quality has raised the red flag on six Saipan beaches and is advising 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 those adjacent to the Central Repair Shop, Hyatt Regency Saipan, Fiesta Resort and Spa Saipan, Samoa Housing, Hafadai Hotel drainage and Garapan Fishing Dock.
Samples collected from these locations 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, 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 beaches and storm drainages every Wednesday. This week it analyzed samples taken from 38 locations on Saipan’s coast.
Also, DEQ analyzed water samples collected from Tinian’s recreational beaches and storm water drainages this week and none of the samples collected contained excessive concentration of fecal indicator bacteria. DEQ assigns a green flag to Tinian waters.
Marine water reports are also provided at www.deq.gov.mp/section.aspx?secID=4 and http://www.cnmicoralreef.net/wq/beachcloseweeklyresults.htm. Interested individuals and organizations can also receive email 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](PR)[/I][/B]
