11 April 2008
Jersey ’s beaches assessed in 2007 has been judged clean enough for bathing by the ‘European Imperative Standard’. The 100% compliance in Jersey was higher than the UK average of 96.5%.
Seven of the sixteen bathing waters also passed the stricter ‘European Guide Standard’. This compares with a pass rate of eleven beaches in 2006. Researchers say the lower compliance in 2007 for this stricter measure was caused by last summer’s weather.
Last year’s bathing season saw the highest rainfall since monitoring began in 1992. This meant more surface water run-off led to lower bathing water quality for beaches throughout the UK .
The Planning and Environment Minister, Senator Freddie Cohen, said: “ Jersey bathing waters continue to be cleaner than the UK average in respect of the ‘Imperative Standard’. High rainfall during the summer season affected the pass rate of the stricter ‘Guide Standard’. This is an important reminder that when living on an island, our approach to managing the land affects surface water quality and ultimately the quality of our bathing waters. Careful management of the environment as a whole should be an objective for the Island .”
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Notes to Editors:
Sixteen of the Island ’s most frequented beaches used for bathing are monitored by the Environment Division each week between May and September. 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 All sixteen beaches passed the imperative standard.
Beaches which passed the more stringent guide standard were Archirondel, Grève de Lecq, Watersplash, Le Braye, St Brelade, Beauport , and Portelet.
Sampling, analysis and the reporting of bathing waters in Jersey adhere to the requirements of the European Bathing Water Directive. Almost 500 beaches are monitored in a similar manner throughout England and Wales . Although Jersey is not a member state of the EU, the States of Jersey is committed to achieve EU standards where practically possible.
Bathing water results from Jersey are independently audited by the Centre for Research into Environment and Health and a report is submitted to the Marine Conservation Society for inclusion in the UK Good Beach Guide.
Rainfall in May 2007 and July 2007 was twice the period average (1971 to 2000), whilst rainfall in June was the third wettest on record since 1894.
“In the South West, bathing water quality dropped slightly in 2007 after the wettest summer on record. The high summer rainfall caused an increase in storm overflows from sewers, a rise in diffuse pollution and run-off from farmland. This resulted in an increase in pollutants flowing down rivers and streams into some bathing waters.” (Centre for Research into Environment and Health, university of Wales)
Monitoring of bathing water quality in Jersey has been undertaken since 1992.
For further information, please contact Dr Tim du Feu, tel: 441691
gov.je