(DEQ) – The Division of Environmental Quality (DEQ) analyzes water samples collected from Saipan’s west coast recreational beaches and storm drainages every week. Samples collected from the following locations contained excessive concentrations of fecal indicator bacteria (enterococci) that exceeded the 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. Therefore, in order to adequately address public health concerns, DEQ 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.
| AMP DRAINANGE (WB 12.1) | DPW CHANNEL BRIDGE (WB 10) |
The Bureau of Environmental and Coastal Quality analyzed samples of marine recreational and storm drainage water from 38 locations on Saipan’s West Coast. Marine Water Quality Reports are also provided at www.deq.gov.mp/beach-advisories.html.
