St Aubin’s Bay not yet safe, public told

St Aubin’s Bay not yet safe, public told

Islanders are being told to stay off the beach and out of the water following the spill on Tuesday until the slurry has been sufficiently diluted by the tidal flow to make it safe to return. Estimating when that will be is difficult, Environmental Health say.

The department is investigating the incident.

In the meantime, signs have been put up warning people of the health risks of swimming in the water.

Caroline Maffia, assistant director for Environmental Health, said: ‘The slurry spill which occurred on Tuesday evening is under investigation by officers from Environmental Protection as a potential offence under the Water Pollution (Jersey) Law 2000.

‘Officers from Environmental Health are checking the water quality across St Aubin’s Bay each day and will reopen the bay once we have confirmed that the levels of pollution are low enough to make it safe for the public. We have also placed ten signs at entry points to the bay at the most popular areas for bathing between the Esplanade (Castle Kiosk) and Bel Royal car park.

‘While the levels of sunshine experienced this week have a natural ability to kill bacteria, we rely on the natural motion of the tide to clear the slurry from the bay. This means the current big tides will help dilute the slurry, but it does make it difficult to estimate a reopening date for the bay.

‘I would urge the public to follow advice from Environmental Health and avoid St Aubin’s Bay. Swimming in polluted water can cause a range of health issues, including vomiting and diarrhoea.

‘While we cannot directly enforce this instruction, officers from Environmental Health are advising Islanders to keep away from the bay, and especially not swim in the bay. I would urge Islanders to
follow instructions to avoid the health risks to themselves and their loved ones.’

The government has said that the spill was not linked to brown discolouration seen in the sea around an outflow pipe in the bay earlier in the week.

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