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Red flag hoisted on six beaches
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Posted on Sep 24 2005
The Division of Environmental Quality has red-flagged five beach sites on Saipan and one on Managaha Island after samples collected from these sites showed excessive concentrations of fecal indicator bacteria.
On Saipan, beaches affected by the advisory include the South Puerto Rico Dump, Micro Beach, Diamond Hotel, CK District #2 Drainage, and Hopwood School Beach. On Managaha, the red flag goes up at the Managaha Beach, designated as MG 05.
Samples collected from these locations were found to contain excessive 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.
“In order to adequately address public health concerns, DEQ has given these 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,” the agency said in a statement issued Friday.
DEQ analyzes water samples collected from Saipan’s recreational beaches and storm drainages every Wednesday. It analyzes samples of marine recreational and storm drainage water from 38 locations on the Saipan’s Coast. It also analyzed a total of 11 samples from the shores surrounding Managaha this week.
Meanwhile, the agency also collected samples from Tinian’s recreational beaches and storm water drainage this week as part of the regularly scheduled sampling and none of the samples contained excessive concentrations of fecal indicator bacteria. Therefore, DEQ assigns all of the sampled beach sites on Tinian a green flag.
DEQ welcomes all inquiries as to the quality of the beach water. The public is encouraged to contact DEQ at 664-8500 with any questions. (PR)
