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Red flag up at 7 Saipan beaches
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Posted on May 21 2009
The Division of Environmental Quality has red-flagged six beaches on Saipan and advises the public not to fish or swim within 300 feet of this site for the next 48 hours or until otherwise notified.
The affected sites are Obyan Beach, Central Repair Shop, DPW Channel Bridge, American Memorial Park, Garapan Fishing Dock, Garapan Beach Drainage, and Civic Center Beach.
Water samples taken from these sites were found to contain 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 analyzed water samples taken from 38 of Saipan’s east and south recreational beaches this week as part of routine sampling.
Marine Water Reports are provided at www.deq.gov.mp/section.aspx?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]
