18 beach sites red-flagged

Posted on Aug 26 2004

The Division of Environmental Quality has raised the red flag on 18 beach sites on Saipan and is urging the public to avoid swimming in these areas for now.

These sites are the Pau-Pau Beach, Nikko Hotel Beach, San Roque School Beach, Tanapag Meeting Hall Beach, Micro Beach, Hyatt Hotel Beach, Dai-Ichi Hotel Beach, Drainage #1, Samoa Housing Beach, Garapan Fishing Dock, Garapan Drainage #3, Civic Center Beach, Sugar Dock, CK District #2 Drainage, CK District #4 Lally Beach, Chalan Piao Beach, San Antonio Beach, and San Antonia Lift Station Beach.

DEQ said that samples collected from these locations contained concentrations of 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,” DEQ said. “In order to adequately address public health concerns, DEQ…advises the public not to fish or swim within 300 feet of these locations for the next 48 hours or until otherwise notified,” it added in a statement.

DEQ analyzed samples from 37 locations on Saipan’s coast. For more information, contact DEQ at 664-8500.

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