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DEQ raises red flag on 5 beach areas
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Posted on Jun 23 2000
The Division of Environmental Quality yesterday alerted the public against swimming and fishing flag on five Saipan beach areas which were found to have been containing excessive amount of fecal coliform and enterococci.
DEQ raised the red flag on the Department of Public Works Channel Bridge, S. Puerto Rico Dump, Smiling Cove Marina, Garapan Fishing Dock and the Sugar Dock.
Water sample analyses conducted by environment experts from DEQ disclosed excessive concentrations of two fecal indicator bacteria — fecal coliform and enterococci in the five beach areas.
An advisory released by the environmental office said the presence of the two fecal indicator bacteria on these areas have exceeded the CNMI Marine Water Quality Standards.
“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 until notified,” the advisory read.
According to the environment office, the discovery of these bacteria on the water samples collected from the five areas 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 natural environment, which may not be directly associated with public health concerns.
DEQ analyzes samples of marine recreational and storm drainage water every Wednesday from 38 locations on the Saipan’s coast.
