Previous Story
Four Saipan beach sites red-flagged
|
Posted on Mar 30 2006
The Division of Environmental Quality has red-flagged four beach sites on Saipan—the DPW Channel Bridge, South Puerto Rico Dump, Samoan Housing and Hafa Adai Hotel—after samples collected from these locations were found to contain excessive concentrations of fecal indicator bacteria.
DEQ said that water samples taken from these sites contained excessive concentrations of fecal indicator bacteria (enterococci) that exceed 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.
“Therefore, 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 for the next 48 hours or until otherwise notified,” the agency said in a statement.
DEQ analyzes water samples collected from 38 locations on Saipan’s coast every Wednesday.
For more information, contact DEQ at 664-8500. (PR)
