ISLANDERS are being advised not to swim at St Aubin’s Bay following reports of low-quality water entering the sea.
The Infrastructure and Environment Department have issued the warning as a temporary precaution because of ‘environmental and biological issues’ at the Sewage Treatment Works (STW), which have meant the quality of the discharge into the sea ‘is not at its usual quality’.
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Environmental factors which have contributed to the poor water quality include warm weather and little rainfall, according to the government.
Chief officer at Infrastructure and Environment, Andy Scate, said: ‘We believe it’s a series of factors, all happening at the same time, that have contributed to the discharge not being at the standard we’d like.’
Mr Scate said that ‘higher than normal’ levels of ammonia were entering the STW facility at Bellozanne.
Infrastructure Minister Tom Binet has confirmed that raw sewage is not being sent out to sea.
Deputy Binet said: ‘It has been through the system and treated, but the output isn’t at the levels we’d want to see.
‘Officers at the STW are working on a number of potential solutions, and are speaking frequently with the Environmental and Consumer Protection team in the Regulation Directorate.’
Environment Minister Jonathan Renouf announced that the advice is a precautionary measure and that seawater tests were being conducted to monitor bacteria levels in the bay.
Deputy Renouf said: ‘Further testing is going on today. We aren’t necessarily declaring that it’s dangerous to swim in the area, but we also cannot guarantee that there’s not an increased risk to swimming there.
‘Until we can give that assurance, we ask that you please don’t swim in St Aubin’s Bay.’
This weekend the Jersey Triathlon is due to be held at St Aubin’s Bay.
Deputy Lucy Stephenson has confirmed that the government are awaiting further test results in order to provide updates on the event.
Islanders who have swam in the area and become unwell should speak to their GP.
For public health advice The Environmental and Consumer Protection can be contacted each weekday on 01534 445 808
