YEAR-ROUND sea-water-quality testing could be introduced after high levels of E.coli at Grève de Lecq closed the bay to swimmers last month.
Environment Minister Steve Luce told a Scrutiny hearing yesterday that the increasing popularity of cold-water swimming also highlighted the need for more testing.
And the panel was told that there would be an investigation into the cause of the incident at Grève de Lecq and whether it should have been “foreseeable”.
A sample taken in mid-May recorded an E.coli count of 3,300 cfu/100ml, which was “considerably higher” than the European threshold for “poor” water quality.
It was tested as part of regular monitoring of 16 bays around Jersey carried out by the government between May and September each year.
Warnings were issued for Islanders to avoid swimming in the area, while anyone who had done so – and felt unwell or had health concerns – was urged to speak to their doctor.
Lower readings were documented later in the week, and Deputy Luce said yesterday that the latest test of the bathing and sea water had been “very good” and advice to steer clear of the stream running down the beach had now been lifted.
Explaining the cause of the incident, Deputy Luce said: “We started our regular weekly testing of bathing waters last month, and immediately discovered that the sea water in Grève de Lecq was a long way above where it should be.
“This initiated an immediate investigation where it was discovered that a pipe between two pumping stations of the infrastructure system had some blockages, and in certain circumstances that blockage was causing an overspill which was getting its way into the stream, onto the beach, and entering the sea.
“We’re back to where we should be, but there should be no complacency, and regular monitoring continues.”
Deputy Tom Coles, a member of the Environment, Housing and Infrastructure Scrutiny Panel, asked whether the testing regime could be improved or made more regular.
In response Deputy Luce said: “Since Covid, we have a large number of people who swim all year round. Bathing is something that is happening far more regularly than before.
“We may, and I only say may because it will be a resource strain on finances, but we may need to look at doing a little bit more testing. This may not be weekly, but we will look at it anyway.”
