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 on Oct. 13, 2005. The following beaches meet water quality standards and are safe for swimming or fishing:

St. Croix
Dorsch
NewFort(Ft. Louise Augusta)
Davis Bay
Cane Bay
Grapetree Bay
Pelican Cove (Comorant)
Gentle Winds
Columbus Landing

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
DPNR is advising the public to refrain from using the coastal waters in the Frederiksted area due to heavy seas and the large amounts of runoff caused by heavy rains. This includes activities such as fishing and bathing. DPNR is also advising parents to instruct their children to keep away from the above-mentioned areas and its impacted beaches as well as areas with manholes and storm-water flooding.
Please use caution when using beaches in areas that were not mentioned in this advisory.

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.