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9 Saipan beaches assigned red flags
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Posted on Apr 03 2008
The Division of Environmental Quality has raised the red flag on nine beach sites on Saipan and is warning 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, Central Repair Shop, DPW Channel Bridge, S. Puerto Rico Dump, American Memorial Park, Hafa Adai Hotel, Garapan Fishing Dock, Garapan Beach Drainage, and Sugar Dock.
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.
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.
DEQ analyzes water samples collected from Saipan’s recreational beaches and storm drainages every Wednesday. This week, the samples of drainage water were taken from 38 locations on Saipan’s coast.
Also, the division assigned green flags to the waters of Managaha Island and Tinian after testing showed no excessive concentrations of fecal indicator bacteria.
The division took samples from 10 locations on Tinian and a total of 11 samples from the shore surrounding Managaha this week.
DEQ welcomes all inquiries as to the quality of the beach water. The public is encouraged to contact DEQ at 664-8500 with any questions concerning this matter. [B][I](DEQ)[/I][/B]
