WEEKEND WATER WATCH: DPNR Flags Two St. Croix Beaches as Unsafe
By St. Croix Sun Staff
CHRISTIANSTED — The Department of Planning and Natural Resources (DPNR) has released its weekly water quality report, and while most of the territory's shores are clear, two popular St. Croix spots have been flagged for high bacteria levels heading into the weekend.
According to the DPNR’s Division of Coastal Zone Management, Cane Bay and Protestant Cay on St. Croix failed to meet the established water quality standards this week. Swimmers and beachgoers are strongly advised to avoid these areas to prevent potential health risks associated with high enterococci bacteria counts.
Where It’s Safe to Swim
The good news is that the majority of the territory’s beaches are currently rated as safe for all water-related activities. The following locations met all water quality standards in the latest sampling round:
St. Croix: Rainbow Beach, Columbus Landing, Dorsch Beach, Frederiksted Public Beach, Pelican Cove (Cormorant), Shoys Beach, Buccaneer, Chenay Bay, Princess (Condo Row), Halfpenny, and Cramer’s Park.
St. Thomas: Magens Bay, Lindbergh Bay, Brewers Bay, Bluebeard’s (Limetree), Frenchman’s Bay, Bolongo Bay, Sapphire Beach, Vessup Bay, Secret Harbour, Hull Bay, and Coki Point.
Water Island: Honeymoon Beach.
Unknown Quality: St. John and Water Bay
DPNR officials noted that all beaches on St. John were not sampled this week, along with Water Bay on St. Thomas. Consequently, the current water quality at these locations remains unknown, and caution is advised.
High bacteria levels are often a result of heavy runoff following rain, which can carry pollutants from the land into the coastal waters. While we wait to see if the Governor’s "major motion picture" includes scenes of our pristine beaches, DPNR continues to monitor these sites weekly to ensure they stay that way.
