Select a region
An increase in year-round sea swimmers has prompted the Government to review "how, where, and when" Jersey's sea water quality is monitored – with some local swimmers calling for the water quality to be tested all year round.
The sampling of Jersey's sea water is currently carried out weekly from May to September each year.
Officers from Natural Environment Department sample the sea water quality at 16 bays around the island. However, this ceases during the winter months.
Caroline Maffia, Manager for Food and Public Health, explained: “Jersey follows the EU bathing Water Directorate. We’ve extended this to include additional sampling at bays that fall outside the scope of this remit, which are regularly used by islanders.
“We are aware of the increase in year-round swimmers and are reviewing how, where, and when we sample to reflect this.”
The 'Bouley Belles' – a group of year-round sea swimmers – swim mostly at Bouley Bay, but "occasionally venture elsewhere".
Pictured: The 'Bouley Belles' started with half a dozen members in April 2020 and has since grown in numbers.
Alison Salisbury Keogh, a primary school teacher and Honorary Police Officer, was one of the group's founding members.
She said: "Some of the group feel that, as we use the bay on a daily basis 12 months of the year, it would be beneficial to have the water tested all year round – especially after heavy rain when the water has run down off the cotils."
What an achievement @Dolfinsal has completed her 6th crossing in 6 decades of the English Channel 15.5hrs Truly amazing ???????????????? pic.twitter.com/TNTKFwAEof
— Andy Jehan ???????? (@AndyJehan) August 7, 2022
However, Sal Minty-Gravett – a stalwart sea swimmer who has completed eight solo English Channel crossings – said that she had no concerns about Jersey's water quality, and said that she "feels blessed" to be able to live and swim in the island.
Pictured: The quality of the water in 16 of the island's bays from September 2022 – the most recent date of testing.
The most recent sea quality figures – from September 2022 – show that Le Braye, Plemont, La Haule, and Beauport were the bays with the best water quality.
The worst quality sea water in the island was at Bonne Nuit bay, with the levels of intestinal enterococci in the water categorised as 'poor'.
This year's sampling of the sea water quality begins on 15 May 2023.
Pictured top: Growing numbers of islanders take part in Christmas Day swims at various local beaches each year.
Comments
Comments on this story express the views of the commentator only, not Bailiwick Publishing. We are unable to guarantee the accuracy of any of those comments.