Clean bill of health for Jersey’s seas

Test results published today have shown that bathing waters at the Island’s most popular beaches were cleaner than the UK average in 2013.

 

The tests are carried out 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 2013 results show that every Jersey beach tested passed the European ‘imperative’ or minimum standard, and that 14 out of the 16 beaches passed the highest quality UK ‘guide’ or recommended standard.

 

Jersey’s 87.5 per cent ‘guide standard’ pass rate compares well to the UK’s 81 per cent pass rate. It is also a significant improvement on the 2012 result of 75 per cent, or 12 beaches, passing the higher standard. This year-on-year difference may be explained by the drier weather during the 2013 season, which led to less run-off or overspill from potential pollutants.

 

The 14 beaches that passed the top ‘guide standard’ were:

The Planning and Environment Minister, Deputy Rob Duhamel, said “I’m pleased to see an improvement in the pass rate for Jersey beaches compared to 2012. The results are a continuing reflection of the excellent work by the department to raise awareness of the causes and impact of water pollution.

 

“Our Environmental Protection team works with schools, commercial businesses, marine users, rural economy businesses and domestic households to foster good practice, for example, checking septic tanks and drainage systems, and where farmers are concerned, using only the appropriate amount of fertiliser on fields. The message seems to be getting through.”

 

The Director of Jersey Tourism, David de Carteret, said “Once again, Jersey has been recognised for the quality of its environment which is so important to the promotion of the Island as a visitor destination. These are excellent results for our sea water, which will be welcomed by everyone in the tourism industry as well as Island residents.”