(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. BECQ also analyzes water samples collected from Tinian’s recreational beaches and storm drainages
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:
Saipan
Wing Beach
Tanapag Meeting Hall
Smiling Cove Marina
Drainage #1
Drainage #3
Paupau
Central Repair
AMP Drainage
Imperial Pacific
Garapan Beach
San Roque School
Sea Plane Ramp
Micro
Grandvrio
Hopwood
Plumeria Hotel
Peace Park
Hyatt
Drainage #2
PIC Beach
Aqua Resort
Outercove Marina
Fiesta
Garapan Fishing Base
San Antonio Lift Station
Tinian
San Jose Harbor
