(BECQ) — The Bureau of Environmental and Coastal Quality analyzes water samples collected from Saipan’s west coast recreational beaches and storm drainages and the Grotto every week.
Samples collected from the following locations contained excessive concentrations of fecal indicator bacteria or enterococci that exceeded 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.
Still, to adequately address public health concerns, BECQ has given the following 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:
Tanapag Meeting Hall
AMP Drainage
CK #2 Drainage
Hopwood School
Outer Cove Marina
Garapan Fishing Dock
CK #4 Laly
San Antonio Beach
Smiling Cove Marina
Civic Center
Chalan Piao
