Guam EPA Weekly Beach Report: 13 Advisories, Same Closed

Guam

Written by News Release Saturday, 28 July 2012 12:33

Guam - The Guam Environmental Protection Agency's weekly Beach Report lists advisories on 13 beaches, and the same beach remains closed.

The results of samples taken by the Guam Environmental Protection Agency on Thursday, July 26 identified that the following recreational waters were polluted above the accepted bacteriological standards.

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.

BEACH ADVISORIES: 13

TAMUNING
Naton Beach - Fujita, Naton Beach - Matapang Beach Park

HAGATNA
West Hagatna Bay - West Storm Drain

ASAN
Adelup Point Beach (West), Asan Bay Beach

PITI
Santos Memorial Park, Outhouse Beach

AGAT
Bangi Beach, Nimitz Beach

UMATAC
Toguan Bay

MERIZO
Merizo Pier at Mamaon Channel

INARAJAN
Inarajan Bay

TALOFOFO
Talofofo 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.

BEACHES CLOSED: 1

No weekly testing is done on West Hagåtña Bay, but it remains closed, as it has been for years, because GWA, on occasion, uses an old, fractured, outfall pipe to dispose of sewage from the Hagåtña Sewage Treatment Plant. When that happens, some of the sewage can leak inside the reef and pollute the waters and beaches in the area including the Hagåtña Boat Basin & Channel and the West Hagåtña Beach Park.

The area closed includes Hagåtña Boat Basin & Channel and the West Hagåtña Beach Park.

About the Guam EPA's Weekly Beach Report:
The Recreational Waters Pollution Report is compiled by Guam EPA's Environmental Monitoring and Analytical Services Division which takes water samples at 42 recreational beaches every Thursday [adjustments are made during official holidays].

The samples are analyzed 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.

Since 1974, Guam EPA has performed this community service weekly. 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.

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.epa.gov/ostwater/beaches/local/sum2.html

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