The Department of Planning and Natural Resources (DPNR) announces that the Beach Water Quality Monitoring Program, which evaluates weekly water quality at popular swimming beaches throughout the territory by sampling for enterococci, bacteria and turbidity, which is a measure of water clarity, did not perform water quality tests for the past week.

Therefore, the water quality at these beaches is unknown.

DPNR does not anticipate any negative impacts from recent rains but cautions the public that if heavy rainfall were to occur, avoid any areas affected by storm-water runoff until the effects subside.  Stormwater runoff may also contain contaminants or pollutants harmful to human health; therefore, the public should avoid areas of stormwater runoff (i.e., guts, puddles and drainage basins) or any area that appears discolored or has foul odors.  DPNR will monitor 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.