Record breaking clean seas at island beaches

The sea at Jersey’s most popular beaches is the cleanest since records began some 20 years ago.

In 2011, all beaches sampled in Jersey passed the European ‘Imperative Standard’ and 15 out of 16 passed the highest quality ‘Guide Standard’. The Island’s pass rate for the Guide standard was 94% compared to the UK’s 77%. The numbers of bacteria in the sea are measured each week at the 16 island beaches during the summer months.

The beaches that passed the Guide standard were: La Haule, Victoria Pool, Havre des Pas, Green Island, Grouville, Archirondel, Rozel, Bouley Bay, Bonne Nuit, Grève de Lecq, Plémont, Watersplash, Le Braye, Beauport and Portelet. St Brelade passed the Imperative standard.

Senator Alan Maclean, Minister for Economic Development said: “The fact that Jersey beaches are once more cleaner than England and Wales is a great boost for Jersey Tourism.”

The sampling of the sea at Jersey beaches is done to a strict European protocol by the Department of the Environment.  The Minister for Planning and Environment, Deputy Rob Duhamel said:

“The department’s sampling programme measures bacteria in the water. The continued improvement of water quality is partly due to our efforts to reduce land-based sources of contamination.

“All Islanders can help us to make sure our beaches stay clean, from dog walkers who use the beaches to boat owners who can help by emptying their holding tanks appropriately. The departments will continue to work with farmers and the industry to ensure that slurry is applied carefully to land and that people with septic tanks and tight tanks make sure they are working effectively and not overflowing.”