Ecoli

Travel discussion for St. John
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mahojim
Posts: 2079
Joined: Mon May 12, 2008 6:29 pm
Location: NJ

Ecoli

Post 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
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RickG
Posts: 5396
Joined: Wed Aug 23, 2006 3:06 pm
Location: Coral Bay, St. John

Re: Ecoli

Post 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
S/V Echoes - Coral Bay - St. John, VI
News of St. John
Posts: 386
Joined: Sun Nov 13, 2011 11:14 am

Re: Ecoli

Post 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
Jenn, News of St. John
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Ed S
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Joined: Wed Dec 19, 2012 11:23 am
Location: Brick, NJ

Re: Ecoli

Post by Ed S »

A recent article you might be interested in......
https://www.stjohntradewinds.com/new-te ... er-safety/
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RickG
Posts: 5396
Joined: Wed Aug 23, 2006 3:06 pm
Location: Coral Bay, St. John

Re: Ecoli

Post 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
S/V Echoes - Coral Bay - St. John, VI
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