6 Saipan beaches red-flagged
The Division of Environmental Quality has red-flagged six beaches on Saipan 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 affected sites are the Tanapag Meeting Hall, DPW channel bridge, south Puerto Rico dump, Garapan Fishing Dock, Sugar Dock, and the San Antonio lift station.
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 drainages every Tuesday. For more information, contact DEQ at 664-8500. (DEQ)
