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26 beach areas under monitoring
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Posted on Mar 12 2001
At least 26 beach areas throughout Saipan have been placed under close monitoring in the next 48 hours after the Division of Environmental Quality unearthed high concentrations of two fecal indicators.
Every Wednesday of the week, DEQ analyzes water samples collected from Saipan’s recreational beaches and storm drainages.
In an advisory released over the weekend, DEQ disclosed samples collected from 26 beach areas on the island contained high concentrations of coliform and enterococci, which exceeded the CNMI Water Quality Standards.
DEQ said these bacteria can indicate the presence of human and animal waste in the water, as it advised the public not to fish or swim within 300 feet of these locations until the agency declares so, in order to ensure protection of public safety and health.
DEQ has raised the Red Flag on: Pau-Pau Beach, Garapan Drainage #2, Nikko Hotel Beach, Garapan Fishing Dock, San Roque School Beach, Garapan Drainage #3, Plumeria Hotel Beach, Chalan Laulau Beach, Aqua Resort Hotel Beach, San Jose Beach, Tanapag Meeting Hall Beach, Civic Center Beach, and DPW Channel Bridge.
It also warned the public against fishing or swimming within and around the Community School Beach, South Puerto Rico Dump, Sugar Dock, Hyatt Hotel Beach, CK District #2 Drainage, Dai-Ichi Hotel Beach, CK District #4, Lally Beach, Garapan Drainage #1, Chalan Piao Beach, Samoa Housing Beach, PIC Beach, Hafa-Adai Hotel Beach and San Antonio Lift Station Beach.
Although these bacteria can indicate the presence of human and animal waste in the water, DEQ pointed out that 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.
