13 beaches on Saipan red-flagged
The Division of Environmental Quality has red-flagged 13 beach sites on Saipan after samples collected showed excessive concentrations of fecal indicator bacteria.
The affected beaches are the San Roque School Beach, Central Repair Shop Beach, DPW Channel Bridge, South Puerto Rico Dump, American Memorial Park Drainage, Micro Beach, Drainage #1, Drainage #2, Garapan Fishing Dock, Sugar Dock, CK District #2 Drainage, Hopwood School beach, and the PIC beach.
DEQ said that samples collected from these locations contained concentrations of enterococci that exceeded the CNMI Marine Water Quality Standards. These bacteria can indicate the presence of human and animal waste in the water.
In order to adequately address public health concerns, DEQ has given these sites 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.
DEQ analyzed samples taken from 38 locations on Saipan’s coast. For more information, call DEQ at 664-8500. [B][I](PR)[/I][/B]
