Commissioner Dean C. Plaskett Esq. of the Department of Planning and Natural Resources (DPNR) announces that the Division of Environmental Protection's (DEP) Beach Water Quality Monitoring Program, which evaluates weekly water quality at 43 popular swimming beaches throughout the territory, advises the public of the following:

DPNR-DEP performed water quality analysis at the 43 designated beaches throughout the territory during the week of Oct 3 through Oct. 7, 2005. The following beaches meet water quality standards and are safe for swimming or fishing:

St. Croix
Stony Ground
Dorsch
Protestant Cay
Teague Bay
Chenay Bay
NewFort(Ft. Louise Augusta)
Spratt Hall
Buccaneer
Davis Bay
Cane Bay
Cramer Park
Grapetree Bay
Pelican Cove (Comorant)
GentleWinds
Rainbow
Columbus Landing
Shoy's
Frederiksted Public Beach(First Target)
Halfpenny

St. Thomas
Water Bay
Lindquist
Sapphire
Magens Bay
Vessup Bay
Bluebeards
Coki Point
Frenchman's Bay
Lindberg Bay
Brewers Bay
Hull Bay
Morningstar

St. John
Oppenhiemer
Francis Bay
Klain Bay
Hart Bay
Chocolate Hole
Frank Bay
Cruz Bay
Great Cruz Bay

However, the following beaches do not meet the water quality standards for swimming or fishing:

St. Thomas
Bolongo Bay

St. Croix
Columbus Landing

Commissioner Plaskett is advising the public to refrain from using the waters at the beaches mentioned above. This includes activities such as fishing and bathing. The Commissioner is also advising parents to please instruct their children to keep away from the above-mentioned areas.

There may be an increased health risk to anyone swimming in these areas as a result of an increased concentration of bacteria. All persons should also be aware that storm-water runoff may also contain contaminants or pollutants harmful to human health and therefore all persons should avoid areas of storm-water runoff (i.e.: guts, puddles, and drainage basins).

DPNR will continue to monitor the impacted areas and waters. For additional information regarding water quality call the Division of Environmental Protection at 773-1082 on St. Croix or 774-3320 on St. Thomas.