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Ecoli

Posted: Thu Nov 02, 2017 3:36 pm
by mahojim
So my sister and brother in law are scheduled to visit with their young daughter this coming February, and they're concerned about the ecological situation and swimming.
I imagine it's all speculation, but anyone "in the know " regarding when the beaches and bays will be safe?
Thanks for any info, just want to ease their minds.
Smiles-
MJ

Re: Ecoli

Posted: Thu Nov 02, 2017 4:41 pm
by RickG
I always recommend Hepatitis vaccine for Caribbean vacations. None of the islands do a reasonable job processing sewage. Bacterial counts go way up every time it rains.

Cheers, RickG

Re: Ecoli

Posted: Thu Nov 02, 2017 5:22 pm
by News of St. John
Many of the beaches are currently safe and are being tested routinely thanks to Love City Strong. That can change, however, when it rains. There is a tremendous amount of runoff coming of the hillsides. So a beach can be safe one day and unsafe for the next few if there is rain.

Oppenheimer and Maho have repeatedly tested as unsafe.

Jenn, Cruz Bay

Re: Ecoli

Posted: Fri Nov 03, 2017 10:24 am
by Ed S
A recent article you might be interested in......
https://www.stjohntradewinds.com/new-te ... er-safety/

Re: Ecoli

Posted: Fri Nov 03, 2017 11:05 am
by RickG
Jenn's article today on News of St. John hits this subject nicely:

http://newsofstjohn.com/2017/11/02/rand ... s-by-jenn/

"Love City Strong has partnered with Surfrider Foundation to independently test beach water quality on St. John. Over a seven-day period, 14 of the island’s beaches were tested and the results are in.

Our tests found unsafe levels of E. Coli at a number of St. John beaches. High risk and potentially dangerous levels of E. Coli were present at Maho Bay Beach (at the pavilion side), Cruz Bay and Great Cruz Bay. Jumbie Beach and Maho Bay Beach (at the parking lot side) presented a medium risk level."

Is the island ready for visitors? Probably not yet. You can get ready for your future vacation by updating your tetanus vaccine and get a Hepatitis B vaccine.

Cheers, RickG