SAIPAN — The Division of Environmental Quality has issued a red flag advisory for three locations along Saipan’s west coast, where water samples this week contained levels of fecal indicator bacteria that exceeded the CNMI Marine Water Quality Standards.
The flagged sites are Central Repair (WB 08), DPW Channel (WB 10), and AMP Drainage (WB 12.1). DEQ advises the public not to swim or fish within 300 feet of these locations for the next 48 hours or until otherwise notified.
DEQ samples Saipan’s west-coast recreational beaches and storm drainages every week and tests for enterococci, bacteria that can indicate the presence of human and animal waste in the water. The division noted that studies have shown stormwater runoff in tropical environments may also carry these bacteria from the natural environment, which may not be directly associated with public health concerns.
The Bureau of Environmental and Coastal Quality analyzed samples from 38 locations along the west coast for this report. Marine Water Quality Reports are posted at www.deq.gov.mp/beach-advisories.html, and the public can direct questions about beach water quality to BECQ at 670-664-8500.