16 Saipan beaches red-flagged
The Division of Environmental Quality has red-flagged 16 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.
Affected sites Paupau Beach, San Roque School, Plumeria Hotel, Aqua Resort Hotel, Tanapag Meeting Hall, Smiling Cove Marina, Micro Beach, Fiesta Resort drainage, Hyatt Regency, Fiesta Resort & Spa, Samoa Housing, Grandvrio Resort, Grandvrio drainage, Garapan Fishing Dock, Garapan Fishing Drain, and Garapan Beach.
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.
DEQ analyzes water samples collected from Saipan’s recreational beaches and storm drainage every Tuesday. For more information, contact DEQ at 664-8500. (DEQ)
