26 May 2016
All 16 of Jersey’s bathing waters met new stricter European standards for bathing water quality last year.
In 2015, 10 of the 16 bathing waters achieved the highest classification of excellent, with five achieving good and one classed as sufficient. No Jersey bathing water was classed as poor.
The tests are carried out between May and September each year by the Department of the Environment. Officers sample bathing water from around the Island’s beaches, in accordance with strict European standards. A new way of measuring standards has been introduced for the first time which is much stricter than before and which gives better protection for water users.
The ten beaches that achieved excellent status were
- Havre des Pas
- Green Island
- Archirondel
- Grève de Lecq
- Plémont
- Watersplash
- Le Braye
- Beauport
- St Brelade
- Portelet
The five beaches that achieved good status were
- Bouley Bay
- Grouville
- Rozel
- Victoria Pool
- La Haule
Bonne Nuit achieved sufficient status.
The Minister for the Environment, Deputy Steve Luce, said “Jersey continues to show high bathing water quality and meet the new stricter standards that give better protection for bathers. The figures reflect my department’s efforts to raise awareness of the causes and impact of water pollution and which will be further addressed in the water plan which we’re going to consult on shortly.”
The Chief Executive Officer of Visit Jersey, the organisation marketing the Island as a visitor destination, also welcomed the figures. Keith Beecham said “It is fantastic news that our sea water quality has passed the new standards. This will give confidence to tourists, as well as Island residents, that our sea is clean and a great attraction.”
Minister for Economic Development, Tourism, Sport and Culture, Senator Lyndon Farnham said “Good bathing water results are more than a ‘nice to have’. Our visitors consistently rate the Island’s beaches and countryside for their beauty and cleanliness and the bathing water figures are widely promoted through the UK. I think they send a message about what Jersey values and they’re one of a number of underlying factors in people choosing to come here.”
gov.je