2 Saipan beaches red-flagged
The Bureau of Environmental and Coastal Quality has red-flagged Jeffrey’s Beach and Unai Dangkulo beach on Saipan 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.
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. However, 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.
BECQ analyzed samples of nine Saipan east and south recreational beaches last week. (PR)
