18 May 2009
Despite another exceptionally rainy bathing water season in 2008, all sixteen of Jersey’s bathing waters, which are sampled in line with the European Bathing Water Directive, passed the Imperative water quality standard. Jersey bathing waters therefore remain cleaner than the UK, where the average pass rate was 96%.
Half (eight out of sixteen) of the Island’s bathing waters also passed the more stringent Guide standard. This has improved slightly compared to 2007, but is lower than the Island’s long- term trend.
The reduced compliance with this higher standard was also experienced throughout the UK as the 2008 bathing season was one of the wettest on record. Wet weather causes increased surface water flow from the land onto the beaches. This surface run-off also carries associated bacteria which will lower the quality of the bathing water. Examples of sources of these bacteria include leaking septic tanks, farm slurry application and natural levels of E. coli in the soil.
Environment Director Chris Newton said ‘I am pleased that the Island’s bathing waters continue to meet the Imperative water quality standard. However like 2007, heavy rainfall was once again responsible for a lower compliance rate for the more stringent Guide standard. It is important to remember that when living on an island, everyone has a part to play in managing the land, as land management practices affect surface water quality and ultimately affects bathing water quality. Continuing careful management of the environment as a whole should be an objective for everyone’.
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Notes to Editors:
Environmental Protection monitor, sixteen bathing water locations around Jersey, weekly, between mid May to the end of September. The results are independently assessed by the Centre for Research into Environment and Health (CREH), and submitted to The Marine Conservation Society for inclusion in the UK Good Beach Guide.
All sixteen bathing waters passed the Imperative standard, these are: La Haule, Victoria Pool, Havre des Pas, Green Island, Grouville, Archirondel, Rozel, Bouley Bay, Bonne Nuit, Grève de Lecq, Plémont, Watersplash, Le Braye, St Brelade, Beauport and Portelet.
The bathing waters that passed the more stringent Guide standard are: Victoria Pool, Green Island, Archirondel, Bouley Bay, Watersplash, Le Braye, Beauport and Portelet.
Total rainfall recorded at Jersey Airport during the 2008 bathing season was the highest recorded during a bathing season for 30-years.
Jersey’s bathing water quality has been monitored since 1992.
Weekly monitoring of the Island’s bathing water commenced on 18 May 2009. Bathing water results for the 16 monitored bathing waters are uploaded weekly onto Environmental Protection’s web page at gov.je.
Environmental Protection routinely monitors beach outfalls, streams etc. to identify potential sources of pollution which may impact on the quality of Jersey’s bathing waters.
For further information, please contact:
Mrs Alison Scally, Environmental Protection Officer. tel: 441641
gov.je