St. Ouen outfall water found to be safe after testing

Wednesday 17 March 2021

Water pouring from an outflow into St. Ouen’s Bay that surfers feared may be contaminated has been found to be safe.

Last month, samples were sent for analysis after the flow from a pipe in the sea wall at Le Port increased significantly. This was due to heavy rainfall combined with a sluice being opened to lower levels in the sand and gravel quarry on the opposite side of the Five Mile Road.

At the same time, a groyne of boulders was built below the outflow to direct the water down the beach and away from the sea wall, to prevent its potential undermining.

Responding to concerns from surfers that the water might be contaminated, CI Surfing Federation president David Ferguson collected samples and sent them to the States Analyst.

Pictured: A team from the Infrastructure department building the groyne below the outfall last month.

The results were then interpreted by David Cabeldu, who co-founded Save Our Shoreline Jersey, a group dedicated to keeping the Island's beaches and coasts pollution-free.

Although the samples did contain traces of chemicals, metals, nitrates and bacteria, they were all within accepted drinking water parameters. 

The water was not tested for PFAS, a man-made chemical once used in firefighting foam at the Airport, although it is known to be in the water at the quarry. 

However, Mr Cabeldu said that this would not be a threat to surfers as exposure to PFAS has to be over a sustained period in order for it to pose a health risk.

Mr Ferguson said that he was pleased that the outflow did not contain any harmful substances and the CISF would continue to get water that flowed into the surf zone tested, if concerns were raised.

Pictured: Water was released from the sand quarry in St Ouen‘s Bay last month after heavy rains.

A spokesman for Simon Sand and Gravel said: “The water analysis results of samples taken from the La Port culvert outlet by the CISF, are positive news. 

“The company would not want to carry out any operations that could adversely affect the immediate St Ouen’s Bay area or the wider environment. 

“Monitoring of the rock armour groyne, positioned at La Port in an effort to reduce the movement of beach sand, is ongoing. 

“Initial results are encouraging and it appears to have been successful in creating the build-up of beach sand immediately below the seawall which, in turn, is providing much needed protection of the sea walls underpinning work.”