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The sun might be shining again after this week's royally wet weather – but islanders are being urged to avoid going for a dip for up to two days after the rain has stopped.
Following yesterday's torrential downpours, the Government's Infrastructure and Environment Department issued advice to "avoid swimming along St Aubin's Bay and Havre des Pas" for 48 hours – minimum – "or until the sea water is clear and you can see your feet".
As for the other bays, they've suggested a minimum wait of 24 hours.
1/2???? General Public Health advice is to avoid swimming along St Aubin’s Bay and Havre des Pas for a minimum of 48 hours following periods of heavy rain - or until the sea water is clear and you can see your feet. ???? https://t.co/bFMI11rdtR
— Infrastructure and Environment (@GovJsyIE) July 16, 2024
It comes after the latest regular sea water monitoring – which was conducted on 9 July – returned 'poor' results for the areas of Havre des Pas, Victoria Pool and La Haule in St Aubin's Bay.
According to the Government's website, Victoria Pool had an extremely high level of an infectious bacteria called e.coli – 14,200 per 100ml of water.
Havre des Pas's level stood at 236, while La Haule's was 445.
Pictured: The reading for Victoria Pool.
However, no health warning was shared by Infrastructure and Environment last week.
Express has asked why this was and if any investigations into the cause have been carried out.
As a result of concerns over the e.coli levels, additional sampling was undertaken on 11 and 12 July.
By the latter date, e.coli levels were found to have dropped back down to "less than 10" at all three locations. The Havre des Pas Seaside Festival took place on Saturday 13 and Sunday 14 July.
Pictured: Results of additional sampling. (Gov.je)
Victoria Pool's 9 July e.coli levels were far greater than levels found at Greve de Lecq in May which led to strong advice to avoid the beach and Public Health warning signs to be placed in the area.
The Head Chef from Colleens Café told Express at the time that the issue had likely cost the business "thousands" in lost trade.
Pictured: Warning signs were removed from Grève de Lecq beach entrances at the end of May.
There had already been calls to increase sea water monitoring due to the rise in popularity of sea swimming. The saga – which was the result of a partial blockage to an incoming sewer – prompted another push for a review of how frequently the island's sea water is tested.
A spokesperson for Government said the results of testing this week along St Aubin's Bay and Havre des Pas were expected back tomorrow (Wednesday).
Rise in sea swimmers prompts review of sea water quality monitoring
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