2 Saipan beaches red-flagged

The Division of Environmental Quality raised the red flag yesterday on beaches fronting the Tanapag Hall and Central Repair Shop on Saipan 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 said that samples collected from these locations were found to contain excessive concentrations of enterococci that exceed the CNMI Marine Water Quality Standards. These fecal indicator 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 samples of marine recreational and storm drainage water from 38 locations on Saipan’s coast each week.

For more information, contact DEQ at 664-8500.[B][I] (DEQ)[/I][/B]