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Guam - The Guam EPA Weekly Beach Report lists 1 beach closed and advisories issued on 22 others.

The Recreational Waters Pollution Report is compiled by Guam EPA's Environmental Monitoring and Analytical Services Division.

The Environmental Monitoring and Analytical Services Division takes water samples of 42 recreational beaches every Thursday [adjustments are made during official holidays] and analyzes the samples for concentrations of the enterococcus bacteria indicator. Advisories are based on an instantaneous standard of not greater than 104 enterococci/100 ml and a geometric mean standard of not greater than 35 enterococci/100 ml.

Guam EPA has performed this community service weekly since 1974.

Beaches Closed: 1

West Hagåtña Bay of course remains closed as it has for years, due to the intended or continued use of the old fractured outfall at the Hagåtña Sewage Treatment Plant as emergency and/or bypass overflow. The area closed includes Hagåtña Boat Basin & Channel and the West Hagåtña Beach Park.

Beach Advisories: 22

The results of samples taken by the Guam Environmental Protection Agency on Thursday, September 8, identified that the following recreational waters were polluted above the accepted bacteriological standards:

TAMUNING
Gognga Beach, Dungca's Beach, East Hagåtña Bay - Alupang Towers Beach, East Hagåtña Bay -Trinchera Beach

HAGATNA
Padre Palomo Park Beach

ASAN
Adelup Beach Park, Asan Bay Beach

PITI
Piti Bay, Santos Memorial Park

AGAT
Togcha Beach - near Namo River, Togcha Beach - Agat Park Beach, Togcha Beach - near Southern Christian Academy, Bangi Beach, Nimitz Beach

UMATAC
Umatac Bay, Toguan Bay

MERIZO
Merizo Pier at Mamaon Channel

INARAJAN
Inarajan Pool, Inarajan Bay

TALOFOFO
Talofofo Bay, Togcha Bay

CHALAN PAGO-ORDOT
Pago Bay

(Place names as spelled in United States Geological Survey [USGS] maps.)

No harvesting or consumption of seaweed, fish or marine organisms is allowed at Tanguisson Beach.

Swimming, fishing or playing in unsafe waters may result in minor illnesses such as sore throats or diarrhea. It might also result in more serious illnesses such as meningitis, encephalitis, or severe gastroenteritis. Children, the elderly and people with weakened immune systems have a greater chance
of getting sick when they come in contact with contaminated water.

Questions about the Recreational Waters Pollution Report should be directed to the Guam EPA Monitoring Section at 475-1656/8.

For more information, please also visit http://www.guamepa.net, http://www.epa.gov/ostwater/beaches/local/sum2.html