CHARLOTTE AMALIE — The beach that has failed water quality testing the most times in the last ten years — has not been tested at all in 2025, the Virgin Islands Free Press has learned.
Water Bay in St. Thomas was flagged for not being safe for swimming or fishing more times than any other beach in the U.S. Virgin Islands, according to DPNR’s own records.
But the Department of Planning and Natural Resources has not conducted water quality testing at Water Bay in St. Thomas even once this year.
The “Margaritaville Vacation Club St. Thomas” is situated on Water Bay on the eastern end of St. Thomas in the U.S. Virgin Islands.
The V.I. Freep asked DPNR spokesman Jamal Nielsen for the reasoning in not testing historically one of St. Thomas’ most poorly performing beaches, but did not get a response today.
Pool at the Margaritaville Vacation Club St. Thomas on Water Bay.
DPNR said all the beaches they tested this week are safe for beachgoers. But the question remains: WHY DOES DPNR NOT TEST WATER BAY?
DPNR performed water quality analyses at 36 designated beaches throughout the territory during the week of March 3– March 7, 2025.
Based on the analytical results, the following beaches met water quality standards and are considered safe for swimming and fishing:
The local environmental agency said it again did not take samples from Water Bay on St. Thomas.
“Therefore, the water quality at this beach is unknown,” DPNR said.