THE Bureau of Environmental and Coastal Quality analyzed water samples collected from Saipan’s east and south recreational beaches this week.
Samples collected from Ladder Beach 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 Ladder Beach a red flag and advises the public not to fish or swim within 300 feet of the location for the next 48 hours or until otherwise notified.
BECQ also analyzed marine water samples collected from Rota’s recreational beaches and storm drainages this week. None of the samples collected contained excessive concentration of fecal indicator bacteria nor did they exceed CNMI Marine Water Quality Standards. Therefore, BECQ assigns all of the sampled beach sites on Rota a green flag.
