12 Saipan beaches red-flagged
The Division of Environmental Quality has red-flagged 12 Saipan beaches and is advising the public not to fish or swim within 300 feet of these locations for the next 48 hours or until otherwise notified.
Affected sites are the Wing Beach, Plumeria Hotel, Sea Plane Ramp, Garapan Fishing Dock, Paupau Beach, Aqua Resort Hotel, Micro Beach, Chalan Kanoa District 2 drainage, San Roque School, Tanapag Meeting Hall, Hyatt Regency Saipan, and the Hopwood Junior High School beach.
Samples collected from these locations contained excessive concentrations of fecal indicator bacteria (enterococci) that exceeded the CNMI Marine Water Quality Standards. These bacteria can indicate the presence of human and animal waste in the water.
DEQ analyzes water samples collected from Saipan’s recreational beaches and storm drainage every Tuesday. For more information, contact DEQ at 664-8500. (DEQ)
