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 – Tanguisson Beach
- TUMON – Gun Beach, Naton Beach – San Vitores Beach, Naton Beach – Fujita, Naton Beach – Matapang Beach, Naton Beach – Guma Trankilidat Beach, Ypao Beach
- TAMUNING – Gognga Beach, Dungca’s Beach – Sleepy Lagoon, Dungca’s Beach, East Hagatna Bay – Alupang Towers Beach, East Hagåtña Bay -Trinchera Beach
- HAGATNA – Padre Palomo Park Beach, Hagåtña Channel, Hagatna Channel – Paseo Outrigger Canoe Ramp, Hagåtña Bayside Park
- ASAN – Adelup Beach Park, Adelup Point Beach, Asan Bay Beach
- PITI – Piti Bay, Santos Memorial Park, Outhouse Beach, Family Beach, United Seamen’s Service, Port Authority Beach
- AGAT – Togcha Beach – near Namo River, Togcha Beach – Agat Park Beach, Togcha Beach(near Southern Christian Academy), Bangi Beach, Nimitz Beach
- UMATAC – Umatac Bay, Toguan Bay
- MERIZO – Merizo Pier at Mamaon Channel
- INARAJAN – Inarajan Pool, Inarajan Bay
- TALOFOFO – Talofofo Bay, First Beach, Ipan Public Beach, Togcha Bay
- 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.
The reported is based of samples from 44 recreational beaches. Samples are taken every Thursday. The samples are analyzed for concentrations of an indicator bacteria and the results are published on Friday afternoon. Beaches with water that have an instantaneous standard of not greater than 104 enterococci/100 ml and a geometric mean standard of not greater than 35 enterococci/100 ml are considered safe for swimming. Beaches that test above those standards considered polluted and an advisory is issued to the public regarding swimming in the area.