Quality testing of Jersey's seawater to begin

Lisa Young
BBC News
BBC Havre des Pas beach and bathing pool with the sea in the distance. There is a group of people on the beach and some people paddling in the pool. Some people are sitting on the concrete steps leading down from a pavilion in to the pool. BBC
Havre des Pas is one of the 16 beaches being tested

Tests to determine the quality of Jersey's seawater will begin on Tuesday.

The Government of Jersey said sampling would take place weekly at 16 bays on Mondays and Tuesdays until 23 September, as required by the EU Bathing Water Directive.

The government said the results would be updated automatically on the interactive map on its website.

It said signs would also be placed at each sampling point showing a QR code linking to the latest results.

Results 'only a snapshot'

The government said monitoring seawater quality enabled it to keep the public informed and to identify episodes of pollution.

However, it warned the results were "only a snapshot of the water quality at the time of sampling" and reminded bathers that they entered coastal waters "at their own risk".

The government advised people to avoid swimming for 48 hours after heavy rainfall and also when sea foam was present, as it might contain substances that could be harmful.

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