The Bureau of Environmental and Coastal Quality (BECQ) analyzes water samples collected from 85 beaches and storm drainages on Saipan, Tinian, Rota and Managaha islands as part of a regularly scheduled sampling program. These samples are analyzed to determine if they contain excessive concentration of fecal indicator bacteria and meet CNMI Water Quality Standards.
However, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, resulting in closure of public beaches and suspension of inter-island flights, regular water quality sampling of these sites was temporarily suspended on March 30th.
Due to the subsequent reopening of beaches for individual use for purposes of exercise and wellness, both physical and mental, and shoreline subsistence fishing such as talåya and rod and reel, as well as the limited availability of inter-island cargo flights, BECQ will resume water sampling at locations on Saipan, Tinian, and Rota the week of April 13th.
NOTE: Marine Water Quality Reports will be provided at www.deq.gov.mp/sec.asp?secID=52. Interested individuals and organizations can also receive email notifications of the weekly marine water quality reports. To do so, please send an email to waterqualityreport@becq.gov.mp.
BECQ welcomes all inquiries as to the quality of the beach water. The public is encouraged to contact Larry Maurin at 286-1054 with any questions concerning this matter.
