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DEQ raises red flag on 24 beach areas
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Posted on Mar 02 2001
The Division of Environmental Quality on Thursday raised the red flag on 24 beach areas throughout Saipan, after results of water sampling studies disclosed high concentrations of two fecal indicator bacteria.
According to a DEQ advisory released to media, the 24 beach areas contained excessive concentrations of fecal coliform and enterococci that exceeded the CNMI Marine Water Quality Standards.
DEQ temporarily suspends fishing and swimming activities in the following areas: Nikko Hotel beach, Tanapag Meeting Hall beach, Central Repair Shop, DPW Channel Bridge, Smiling Cove Marina, Dai Ichi Hotel, Samoa Housing beach, and Garapan drainage number 2.
It also raised the red flag at the Garapan beach, Chalan Laulau beach, CK District-2 drainage, Chalan Piao beach, San Roque School beach, Seaplane Ramp, South Puerto Rico dump, Hyatt Hotel beach, Garapan drainage number 1, and Hafa Adai Hotel beach.
The environmental agency also restricts activities in other areas that include: Garapan Fishing Dock, Garapan drainage number 3, Sugar Dock, CK District-4 Lally beach, and San Antonio Lift Station beach.
DEQ said fecal coliform and enterococci 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 natural environment, which may not be directly associated with public health concerns.
In keeping with the government’s policy to be more protective toward public health, DEQ advises the public not to fish or swim within 300 feet of these locations for the next 48 hours.
DEQ analyzes samples of marine recreational and storm drainage water from 37 locations on the Saipan’s coast every Wednesday.
