Sea water monitoring
Environmental protection
The sampling and analysis of sea sea water is carried out by the Department of the Environment. The quality of sea water around Jersey’s coast is important for a number of reasons:
- the health of the public swimming and those involved in water sports
- pollution of the environment
- Jersey tourism prides itself on having some of the cleanest beaches in Europe
- aquaculture industry eg oyster or mussel farming
Most popular beaches
Sea water at 16 of the most popular beaches around Jersey is monitored weekly between mid May to the end of September. Monitoring and analysis of samples conforms to strict european standards.
Results from Jersey are independently verified 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. CREH produce an annual report of the Island’s sea water.
Monitoring of sea water quality started in 1992. Since then the Department of the Environment has been instrumental in developing the protocols for measuring sea water quality which are now used in a european directive and by the World Health Organisation.
2011
During the 2011 summer season, sea water quality at the Island’s most popular beaches was the best it has been since monitoring began. All 16 of Jersey’s sea waters passed the European Imperative Standard, whilst 15 out of the 16 further passed the stringent European Guide Standard.
The 16 sea waters that passed the 'Imperative standard'
| 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 |
Portelet |
The 15 sea waters that passed the more stringent 'Guide standard'
| La Haule |
Havre des Pas |
Green Island |
Grouville |
Archirondel |
Rozel |
Bouley Bay |
Bonne Nuit |
| Grève de Lecq |
Plémont |
Watersplash |
Le Braye |
Victoria Pool |
Beauport |
Portelet |
Download Jersey Bathing Water Report 2011 Executive Summary (size 240kb)
Bathing Water Directive
Article 3(1) of the revised Bathing Water Directive requires sea waters to be identified on an annual basis. The length of the sea water season is to be defined each year. The 2012 sea water season shall commence on Monday 14 May and end on Wednesday 25 September.
It is also a requirement of the revised Bathing Water Directive (Article 3(4)) to annually establish a monitoring calendar to identify days when water samples will be collected.
Monitoring calendar 2012
| East |
Bouley Bay |
Rozel |
Archirondel |
Grouville |
Green Island |
Havre des Pas |
Victoria Pool |
La Haule
|
| West |
Portelet |
St Brelade |
Beauport |
Le Braye |
Watersplash |
Plemont |
Greve de Lecq |
Bonne Nuit
|
| North |
Le Braye |
Watersplash |
Greve de Lecq |
Plemont |
Bonne Nuit |
Bouley Bay |
Rozel |
Archirondel
|
| South |
Grouville |
Green Island |
Havre des Pas |
Victoria Pool |
La Haule |
Portelet |
St Brelade |
Beauport |
| Month |
May |
| Date |
14 |
15 |
22 |
23 |
28 |
29 |
| Day |
Mon |
Tue |
Tues |
Wed |
Mon |
Tue |
| Area |
North |
South |
East |
West |
South |
North |
| Month |
June |
| Date |
6 |
7 |
11 |
12 |
18 |
19 |
25 |
26 |
| Day |
Wed |
Thu |
Mon |
Tue |
Mon |
Tue |
Mon |
Tue |
| Area |
West |
East |
South |
North |
West |
East |
North |
South |
| Month |
July |
| Date |
2 |
3 |
9 |
10 |
16 |
17 |
23 |
24 |
30 |
31 |
| Day |
Mon |
Tue |
Mon |
Tue |
Mon |
Tue |
Mon |
Tue |
Mon |
Tue |
| Area |
East |
West |
East |
West |
North |
South |
West |
East |
South |
North |
| Month |
August |
| Date |
6 |
7 |
13 |
14 |
20 |
21 |
28 |
29 |
| Day |
Mon |
Tue |
Mon |
Tue |
Mon |
Tue |
Tue |
Wed |
| Area |
West |
East |
South |
North |
East |
West |
North |
South |
| Month |
September |
| Date |
3 |
4 |
10 |
11 |
18 |
19 |
24 |
25 |
| Day |
Mon |
Tues |
Mon |
Tues |
Tue |
Wed |
Mon |
Tue |
| Area |
North |
South |
East |
West |
South |
North |
West |
East |
Bathing water profiles
A profile has been produced for Jersey's monitored sea waters. Each profile includes:
- a photograph, description, map of the sea water and surrounding area
- an identification of potential sources of pollution and measures to reduce pollution
- the telephone number to report water pollution and contact details for further information
The profiles are intended to provide useful information to the public and are a requirement of the revised Bathing Water Directive.
Sea water quality results 2012
Season commences 14 May and results will be updated weekly.