(BECQ) — The Bureau of Environmental and Coastal Quality analyze water samples collected from Tinian’s recreational beaches and storm water drainages this week as part of the regularly scheduled sampling. None of the samples collected contained excessive concentration of fecal indicator bacteria nor did they exceed the CNMI Marine Water Quality Standards. BECQ assigns all of the sampled beach sites a green flag.
On Saipan, BECQ analyze water samples collected from the island’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:
San Roque
Hyatt
Garapan Beach
Plumeria Hotel
Drainage#1
Chalan Piao
Aqua Resort
Granvrio
Hopwood School
Tanapag Meeting Hall
Drainage#2
San Antonio Beach
Peace Park
Garapan Fishing Base
PIC Beach
AMP Drainage
Drainage#3
