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11 sites on Saipan red-flagged
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Posted on Sep 17 2008
The Division of Environmental Quality has raised red flags on 11 locations on Saipan after samples collected from the sites contained excessive concentrations of fecal indicator bacteria (enterococci) that exceeded the CNMI Marine Water Quality Standards.
The sites red-flagged by DEQ are: Tanapag Meeting Hall; Central Repair Shop; DPW Channel Bridge; South Puerto Rico Dump; American Memorial Park; Hafadai Beach Hotel; Hafadai Drainage; Garapan Fishing Dock; Garapan Beach Drainage; Sugar Dock; and CK District #2 Drainage.
To adequately address public health concerns, DEQ therefore has given the 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.
DEQ analyzes water samples collected from Saipan’s recreational beaches and storm drainage every Wednesday. 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.[B][I] (DEQ)[/I][/B]
