Saipan — The Division of Environmental Quality has issued red flag advisories for eight locations along Saipan’s west coast after water samples showed concentrations of fecal indicator bacteria exceeding CNMI Marine Water Quality Standards.
The public is advised not to swim or fish within 300 feet of those locations for the next 48 hours or until otherwise notified.
The flagged sites are Kensington Hotel (WB 03), Plumeria Hotel (WB 05), Tanapag Meeting Hall (WB 07), Central Repair (WB 08), DPW Channel Bridge (WB 10), Peace Park (WB 11.2), Smiling Cove Marina (WB 12) and AMP Drainage (WB 12.1).
DEQ said enterococci bacteria can indicate the presence of human and animal waste in the water. The agency noted that studies have shown storm water runoff in tropical environments may also carry these bacteria from the natural environment, which may not be directly associated with public health concerns.
