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An investigation into a potential breach of the Water Pollution Law has been opened after a problem at the Bellozanne plant led under-treated sewage to flow into St. Aubin’s Bay.
Concerns about the quality of water in the Bay saw ‘no swimming’ advice issued on Wednesday, with testing of undiluted samples taken on Thursday from around First Tower – the location of the Sewage Treatment Works outflow pipe – revealed to be “poor” by EU Standards.
Video: Outflow in St. Aubin's Bay on Thursday.
However, that advice was lifted today, with the Government stating that a bathing water sample taken from the area on Friday was "excellent".
Organisers of the Jersey Triathlon, which had been under threat as a result of the sewage issues, have since confirmed the event will go ahead.
Government officials said yesterday that the problem at the plant was caused by the warm weather and lack of rain, as well as insufficient "organic matter" flowing through the plant for the bacteria used in its chemical processes to function properly. This meant that the sewage was treated to a lower standard than usual.
While Sewage Treatment Works operators now say the facility is now running as normal, a Regulation team is now formally investigating what happened under the Water Pollution (Jersey) Law 2000. Water pollution incidents can carry an unlimited fine.
Environment Minister Jonathan Renouf said he was "pleased, particularly with the warm weather we've been having, that sea swimming can resume."
Infrastructure Minister Tom Binet added: ""I'm thankful to the team at the Sewage Treatment Works, who have worked incredibly hard over the past few days, adjusting processes at Bellozanne and making subtle alterations, to improve the effluent quality.
"It's complex work, with multiple environmental and biological factors at play.
"We'll work closely with the regulator to clarify what exactly has happened this week."
EU standards define 'Excellent' quality as less than or equal to 250 Escherichia coli (a type of illness-causing bacteria) per 100ml, 'Good' is less than or equal to 500 E.Coli, and 'Poor' is above 500.
The undiluted sample taken from First Tower on Thursday tested as 630 E.Coli per 100ml (Poor). A diluted sample reading has not been provided.
A bathing water (diluted) sample taken on Friday tested as 55 E.Coli per 100ml (Excellent). An undiluted sample reading has not been provided.
You can find the latest water quality results here.
WATCH: Water quality "excellent"... but you still shouldn't swim in St. Aubin's Bay
Triathlon under threat amid sea sewage concerns
Pictured top: Signs were put up in St. Aubin's Bay to caution against swimming when the sewage issue was discovered.
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