GUAM (10 July 2001) -- Twenty-three of the 39 beaches monitored by the Guam Environmental Protection Agency are polluted, according to the latest test results. That is twice the normal number of polluted beaches for the rainy season, said Alex Soto, division head for Guam EPA's environmental monitoring and analytical services. All of the beaches tested in Tumon Bay were polluted, according to an environmental advisory. Last month, Tumon's San Vitores Beach, Naton Beach and Ypao Beach were polluted -- possibly because of a sewer line break, according to environmental officials. In March, four popular Tumon beaches -- Guma Trankilidat, Matapang, San Vitores and Ypao -- were polluted above accepted standards. The beaches were deemed safe a few weeks later. That pollution was attributed to failure of the Fujita sewage pump station, which allowed raw sewage to spill onto Tumon's streets. Soto said the latest contamination at beaches island wide was caused by rain runoff and from high surf, which he said agitates the sediment in the water. "The contamination is not due to any sewer break or anything like that," said Soto, who said it normally takes a typhoon for the water to become so polluted. Normally, during the rainy season, pollution warnings are issued for between 11 and 13 beaches, Soto said. | | Red flags mark Guam's polluted beaches According to the agency, the following beaches were polluted above accepted bacteriological standards on July 5: San Vitores Beach, Naton Beach, Matapang Beach, Guma Trankilidat Beach, Ypao Beach, Sleepy Lagoon, Dungca's Beach, Trinchera Beach, Paseo outrigger canoe ramp, Hagatna boat basin, Hagatna bayside beach, Asan Bay, Piti beach park, Santos Memorial beach park, Southern Christian Academy Beach, Bangi Beach, Nimitz Beach, Umatac Bay, Toguan Bay, Merizo Pier, Inarajan pool, Talofofo Bay and Togcha Bay. © CDNN - CYBER DIVER NEWS NETWORK |
