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Marine Water Quality Report (Week of the Nov. 26, 1999)
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Posted on Nov 29 1999
The Division of Environmental Quality (DEC) analyzes water samples collected from Saipan’s recreational beaches and storm drainage’s every Wednesday. Samples collected from the following locations contained excessive concentrations of two fecal indicator bacteria (fecal coliform and enterococci) that exceeded the cnmi marine water quality standards.
These bacteria can indicate the presence of human and animal waste in the water. Therefore, in order to adequately address public health concerns, deQ has given the following locations a red flag and advises the public not to fish or swim within 300 feet of these locations for the next 48 hours or until otherwise notified:
– Central repair shop
– Tanapag meeting hall
– dpw channel bridge
– S. Puerto Rico dump
– Smiling Cove Marina
– Hyatt Regency Saipan
Also, samples collected from the following locations contained excessive concentrations of at least one of the bacteriological indicators, which exceeded the cnmi marine water quality standards:
Drainage #1
CK Dist #2 drainage
CK Dist #4 Lally Beach
The 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. However, in keeping with DEQ’s policy to protect public’s health, deq has given the above locations a yellow flag and recommends that individuals use caution and avoid full body submersion within 300 feet of these locations for the next 48 hours or until otherwise notified.
The Division of Environmental Quality analyzes samples of marine recreational and storm drainage water from 18 locations on the Saipan’s coast.
Deq welcomes all inquiries as to the quality of the beach water. The public is encouraged to contact deq at 664-8500 for any question.
