Sea water monitoring

2023 monitoring calendar and results

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Source: Natural Environment

cfu = colony forming units

< = is less than the given value

Results from Jersey are submitted to the Marine Conservation Society for inclusion in the UK Good Beach Guide.

The above ratings are a weekly snapshot of bathing water quality, however, the full classification is calculated annually for each bathing water site, based on all of the samples from the previous four years.

Excellent Water Quality: Indicates this sample meets the following standard:

less than or equal to 250 Escherichia coli per 100ml

less than or equal to 100 Intestinal enterococci per 100ml

Good Water Quality: Indicates this sample meets the following standard:

less than or equal to 500 Escherichia coli per 100ml

less than or equal to 200 Intestinal enterococci per 100ml

Poor water indicates values are above 500 Escherichia coli per 100ml and above 200 Intestinal enterococci per 100ml

We monitor sea water as part of the Bathing Water Directive.

The quality of sea water around Jersey's coast is important for a number of reasons:

the health of the public swimming in those bays and for those involved in water sports
detection of pollution within the environment
providing information to the aquaculture industry, for example oyster or mussel farming

Jersey prides itself on having some of the cleanest beaches in Europe. Results from Jersey are submitted to the Marine Conservation Society for inclusion in the UK Good Beach Guide

2023 Sea water monitoring schedule

The 2023 season runs from Monday 15 May to Tuesday 26 September, with the most recent results reported in the table at the top of this page.

Month	Date
May	15 and 16 May 2023
May	22 and 23 May 2023
May	30 and 31 May 2023
June	5 and 6 June 2023
June	12 and 13 June 2023
June	20 and 21 June 2023
June	26 and 27 June 2023
July	3 and 4 July 2023
July	10 and 11 July 2023
July	17 and 18 July 2023
July	24 and 25 July 2023
August	1 and 2 August 2023
August	10 and 11 August 2023
August	14 and 15 August 2023
August	21 and 22 August 2023
August	29 and 30 August 2023
September	4 and 5 September 2023
September	11 and 12 September 2023
September	18 and 19 September 2023
September	25 and 26 September 2023

The 16 bays around Jersey monitored include:

St Brelade Bay
Beauport
Portelet
Le Braye
Plémont
Greve de Lecq
Watersplash
Bonne Nuit
La Haule
Victoria Pool
Grouville
Archirondel
Havre des Pas
Green Island
Bouley Bay
Rozel

For ensuring accuracy and consistency a duplicate sample and analysis is carried out each week by the Official Analysts laboratory.

Quality of sea water

The sampling of sea water is carried out by officers from Natural Environment Department based at Howard Davis Farm, Telephone +44 (0) 1534 441600. If you observe pollution on the beach or in the sea, call the Pollution hotline on +44 (0) 1534 709535.

Water safety for swimming

The bathing water data is provided to Public Health each week and they make the decision in consultation with other stakeholders. If the results are poor, they will notify the media recommending swimming is not advised and suitable signage would be provided at the relevant bays. To contact Public Health call +44 (0) 1534 445808 or email environmentalhealth@gov.je.

Sea water profiles

A profile has been produced for 14 of 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

Archirondel sea water profile