Consumption Advisories can be accessed by CLICKING HERE.
The results of the latest samples taken by the Guam Environmental Protection Agency identified that the following recreational waters were polluted above the accepted bacteriological standards
Beach Advisories:
Guam EPA is urging residents to stay safe. Recreational activities in unsafe beaches 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.
Why do we test beach water?
The main goal is to help keep public informed with enough information about Guam’s water quality to make good choices when it comes to swimming. To do this, the Program tests Guam’s recreational waters for microbiological contamination every week. When the results from those tests are returned from the lab, the Program issues an advisory to advise the public against swimming in contaminated waters.
What do we test for?
Guam EPA tests for Enterococcus. Although this is not necessarily a harmful bacteria, it is an indicator that other bacteria may be found in the water. The Enterococcus group is a subgroup of fecal streptococci, which are commonly found in the gastrointestinal tract of all warm-blooded animals. This group is more human specific than fecal coliform, and gives a better indication if there is wastewater contamination in the area. Wastewater contamination can cause acute health problems if you are exposed to it.
What exactly does an “advisory” mean?
An “advisory” is a warning informing the public of the relative water quality of a beach that is monitored by the Agency. These are essentially “swim at your own risk” advisories. BEACH WATCH Advisories do not “close” a beach for recreational activities or the consumption of marine organisms. BEACH WATCH Closures occur with the concurrence of the Guam Department of Public Health if there is a known source of sewage pollution to a beach. Closures will result in the suspension of recreational activities and the consumption of marine organisms.
Technically, an “advisory” means that during that specific week’s sampling, the bacteria concentration at that beach was above the accepted Guam Water Quality Standard for marine recreational beaches. These concentrations increase a swimmer’s risk of becoming ill. Thus Guam EPA recommends the public avoid swimming or wading at that beach to minimize this risk.
Where do we test beach water?
- DEDEDO – NCS Beach/Tanguisson Beach
- TAMUNING – Gun Beach, Tumon Bay: (Gun Beach) – Gognga Beach, Tumon Bay: (Gognga Beach – Okura Beach) – Naton Beach, Tumon Bay: (Naton Beach – San Vitores, Naton Beach – Fujita, Naton Beach – Matapang Beach Park, Naton Beach – Guma Trankilidat) – Ypao Beach, Tumon Bay: (Ypao Beach) – Dungca’s Beach, East Hagåtña Bay: (Dungca’s Beach – Sleepy Lagoon, Dungca’s Beach, Alupang Beach – Trinchera Beach, East Hagåtña Bay: (Trinchera Beach, Padre Palomo)
- HAGÅTÑA – Hagåtña Marina: (Hagåtña Channel, Hagåtña Channel – Outrigger Ramp), West Hagåtña Beach: (Hagåtña Bayside Park, West Hagåtña Bay Park, West Hagåtña west storm drain.)
- ASAN – Beach at Fonte River, West Hagåtña Bay: (Adelup Beach Park) West of Adelup Point, Asan Bay: (Adelup Point Beach (West)) – Asan Memorial Beach, Head of Asan Bay: (Asan Bay Beach)
- PITI – Beach at Piti Bay: (Piti Bay, Santos Memorial) – United Seamen’s Service Beach (USO Beach): (United Seamen’s Service) – Outhouse Beach – Family Beach, Port Authority Beach
- HÅGAT– Togcha Beach aka Hågat Beach: (Togcha Beach – Bridge, Togcha Beach – Hågat, Togcha Beach – Cemetery) Beach north of Finile River: (Bangi Beach) – Beach Sourth of Finile River: (North of Hågat Marina, south of Chaligan Creek) – Nimitz Beach
- – Agat Park Beach, Togcha Beach(near Southern Christian Academy), Bangi Beach, Nimitz Beach
- HUMÅTAK – Humåtak Bay – Toguan Bay
- MALESSO’ – Malesso’ Public Pier Park
- INALÅHAN – Inalåhan Pools, Inalåhan Bay
- TALO’FO’FO – Talo’fo’fo Bay – Asanite Point Beach aka First Beach – Ipan Public Beach
- YONA – Tagachang Beach
- CHALAN PAGO ORDOT – Pago Bay
(Place names as spelled in United States Geological Survey [USGS] maps.)
About the Beach Report
Community service since 1974
The Recreational Waters Pollution Report is compiled by Guam EPA’s Environmental Monitoring and Analytical Services Division. Guam EPA has performed this community service weekly since 1974. With increasing support from the federal government by way of the BEACH Act and the Clean Beaches Plan, Guam is able to support and maintain our beach monitoring program.
Samples from 43 recreational beaches are collected weekly (usually every Thursday). The samples are analyzed for concentrations of an indicator bacteria and the results are published on Friday afternoon. Beaches sample analysis that result in a concentration that do not exceed the current Numeric Recreational Water Quality Criteria are considered safe for swimming. Beaches that test above the criteria considered polluted and an advisory is issued to the public regarding swimming in the area.
Current numeric microbiological criteria is: Concentrations of enterococci bacteria shall not exceed 35 CFU/100 ml based upon the geometric mean of samples taken in any thirty (30) day interval and the Statistical Threshold Value (STV) of 130 CFU/100 ml should not be exceeded by more than 10 percent of the samples taken during the same thirty (30) day interval. (The Guam Water Quality Standards can be found at: https://www.guamcourts.gov/CompilerofLaws/GAR/22GAR/22gar05.pdf