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21 beach sites are temporary no-swim zones
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Posted on Oct 13 2005
The Division of Environmental Quality yesterday declared 21 beach sites on Saipan as temporary no-swim zones due to excessive bacterial concentrations on the waters, following heavy rains on the island from Sunday to Wednesday morning.
The DEQ said samples collected from the beach sites contained excessive concentrations of enterecocci, beyond the levels allowed by the CNMI Marine Water Quality Standards. The DEQ conducted the sampling tests on 37 beach sites.
DEQ laboratory manager Clarissa T. Bearden explained that, while the bacteria could indicate the presence of human and animal waste in the water, their presence might have resulted from stormwater runoff flowing to the beaches.
The division yesterday advised the public not to fish or swim within 300 feet of the following locations for the next 48 hours.
The contaminated beach sites include San Roque School, Plumeria Hotel, Aqua Resort Hotel, Tanapag Meeting Hall, DPW Channel Bridge, Outercove Marina, Micro Beach, Hyatt Hotel, Dai-Ichi Hotel, Drainage 1 and 2 in Garapan, Samoan Housing, Hafa Adai Hotel, Garapan Fishing Dock, Garapan Beach, Sugar Dock, CK District 2 Drainage, CK District 4 Lally Beach, Chalan Piao, Hopwood School, and San Antonio Beach.
