Regulat monitering of bathing water in St Aubins Bay during the summer of 2003

1240/5(1942)

QUESTIONS TO BE ASKED OF THE PRESIDENT OF THE ENVIRONMENT AND PUBLIC SERVICES COMMITTEE ON TUESDAY 9th SEPTEMBER 2003,

BY THE DEPUTY OF ST. JOHN

Question 1

Would the President confirm that regular monitoring of bathing water in St. Aubin's Bay has taken place throughout the summer 2003, and, if so, whether it has passed the bathing water quality test on every occasion?

Answer

I can confirm that there has been regular monitoring of the bacterial water quality in St Aubin's Bay throughout the summer of 2003, and that this monitoring will continue for a further 5 weeks to give a total of 20 weekly samples. These samples are taken at three sites; La Haule, First Tower and Victoria Pool.

Overall compliance with EU Bathing water standards cannot be judged until all 20 samples have been taken, as the standards are based on a percentage pass of all the samples. However, I can say at this stage that the results obtained so far indicate that the quality of each site is in line with previous results taken over the last 10 years. The results for the 15 samples taken so far are -

G u i d e P a ss I m perative Pass F a il

L a H a ule 1 1   3 1

F i rs t T ower 4   1 0  1   V  ic t o ria Pool 7   8 0  

The failure at La Haule on the 16th July 2003, followed a very heavy rainfall event on the previous evening. The failure at First Tower on the 9th June 2003, has not been fully explained.

Question 2

Would the President explain the reasons for the West Park swimming pool having been left drained for many days over the last few summer months?

Answer

Due to lack of usage the Tourism Department elected to withdraw lifeguard cover for the 2003 Summer season. To ensure the safety of beach users, the Public Services Department determined that the sluice gates should remain open so that no water is retained in the pool.