Office of the Commissioner
Office of the Commissioner CONTACT: Jamal Nielsen, Media Relations Coordinator jamal.nielsen@dpnr.vi.gov Friday, July 17, 2026 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE BEACH ADVISORY 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, a measure of water clarity, advises the public of the following: DPNR performed water quality analysis at 35 designated beaches throughout the Territory during the week of July 13, 2026 – July 17, 2026. Based on the analytical results, the following beaches met water quality standards and are considered safe for swimming and fishing: St. Thomas Secret Harbor Lindbergh Bay Bolongo Bay Lindqvist Beach Frenchman’s Bay Magens Bay Coki Point Hull Bay Sapphire Beach Brewers Bay St. …
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Office of the Commissioner CONTACT: Jamal Nielsen, Media Relations Coordinator jamal.nielsen@dpnr.vi.gov Friday, July 17, 2026 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE BEACH ADVISORY 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, a measure of water clarity, advises the public of the following: DPNR performed water quality analysis at 35 designated beaches throughout the Territory during the week of July 13, 2026 – July 17, 2026. Based on the analytical results, the following beaches met water quality standards and are considered safe for swimming and fishing: St. Thomas Secret Harbor Lindbergh Bay Bolongo Bay Lindqvist Beach Frenchman’s Bay Magens Bay Coki Point Hull Bay Sapphire Beach Brewers Bay St. John Cruz Bay Frank Bay Great Cruz Bay Johnson Bay Oppenheimer Beach GOVERNMENT OF THE VIRGIN ISLANDS OF THE UNITED STATES --------0-------- DEPARTMENT OF PLANNING AND NATURAL RESOURCES 4611 Tutu Park Mall 45 Mars Hill, Frederiksted Suite 300 St. Croix, VI 00840 St. Thomas, VI 00802 (340) 773-1082 (340) 774-3320 dpnr.vi.gov Beach water samples were collected on St. Croix this week; however, enterococci results are unavailable due to a laboratory equipment malfunction during processing. The following beach does not meet water quality standards because it exceeds the established Enterococci bacteria threshold and is therefore considered unsafe for swimming or fishing: • Vessup Bay on St. Thomas. Please note: Samples were not collected at the following beaches: • Water Bay on St. Thomas • Bluebeards Beach on St. Thomas. Therefore, the water quality at these beaches is unknown. Please be advised that anyone swimming in waters contaminated with sewage, stormwater, or with large amounts of sargassum may be at an elevated health risk due to elevated concentrations of bacteria or other contaminants. Waters impacted by sewage, stormwater runoff (i.e., guts, puddles, and drainage basins), large amounts of sargassum, or any area that appears discolored or has foul odors should be avoided. DPNR will continue to monitor the impacted waters. For additional information regarding water quality, call the Division of Environmental Protection at 773-1082 in St. Croix or 774-3320 in St. Thomas. Water Island Honeymoon Beach