May 27, 2015
Test results published today (27 May 2015) have shown that bathing waters at the Island’s most popular beaches were cleaner than the UK average in 2014.
The tests are carried out weekly between May and September each year by the Department of the Environment. Officers sample bathing water from 16 Island beaches, in accordance with strict European standards.
The 2014 results show that every Jersey beach tested passed the European ‘imperative’ or minimum standard, and that 13 out of the 16 beaches passed the highest quality UK ‘guide’ or recommended standard, one fewer than the previous year.
Jersey’s 81 per cent ‘guide standard’ pass rate compares well to the UK’s 78 per cent pass rate.
The 13 beaches that passed the top ‘guide standard’ were
Bouley Bay
Victoria Pool
Havre des Pas
Green Island
Grouville
Archirondel
Grève de Lecq
Plémont
Watersplash
Le Braye
Beauport
St Brelade
Portelet
La Haule, Rozel and Bonne Nuit failed the ‘guide’ or recommended standard. That may be due to wetter weather during the 2014 bathing season compared with 2013, which would create a higher risk of run-off from the land.
The Minister for Planning and Environment, Deputy Steve Luce, said “Our results continue to compare well to those of the UK, and reflect the department’s efforts to raise awareness of the causes and impact of water pollution. There’s still work to be done and we’re addressing that by raising awareness of possible causes of marine pollution, but I’m confident we’re on the right track.”
The Minister for Economic Development, Senator Lyndon Farnham, added “This is welcome news. Jersey’s beaches are some of the finest in Europe and among our best assets. It is fantastic to see our beaches continuing to perform so well on water quality.”
The Chief Executive of Visit Jersey Keith Beecham said “Jersey is known for its beautiful beaches, so being accredited with these excellent results on the quality of our sea water is an extremely important element of the Jersey product we are offering. The news will be welcomed by everyone in the tourism industry as well as Island residents.”
More detailed information on the methodolgy and results of the testing are available online.
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