5 Saipan beaches red-flagged

Posted on Dec 18 2008

The Division of Environmental Quality has raised the red flag on five Saipan beaches and warns the public not to fish or swim within 300 feet of these locations for the next 48 hours or until otherwise notified.

The affected sites are Central Repair Shop, DPW Channel Bridge, South Puerto Rico dump, Garapan Beach Drainage, and Sugar Dock.

DEQ said that samples collected from these locations contained excessive concentrations of fecal indicator bacteria (enterocci) that exceeded the CNMI Marine Water Quality standards. These bacteria can indicate the presence of human and animal waste in the water. However, storm water runoff in tropical environments may also contain these bacteria from the natural environment.

DEQ analyzes water samples collected from Saipan’s recreational beaches and storm drainages every Wednesday.

For more information, contact DEQ at 664-8500.

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