The first water sample result taken from Soldier’s Bay after the Fort George outfall pipe was found to be broken, has come back as ‘excellent’.

Two samples were taken after Guernsey Water informed the Office of Environmental Health and Pollution Regulation that the pipe was damaged.

While only one test result has come back so far, Tobin Cook, Director of Environmental Health and Pollution Regulation, said it was a “positive result”.

The water in that area will continue to be regularly monitored to ensure the ‘excellent’ result is accurate, he said.

“Two samples have been taken from Soldier’s Bay and we have received one result. That result complied with the ‘Excellent’ standard within the EU Bathing Water Directive. While this is a positive result, we will continue to take regular samples to determine if this is a representative result.”

Pictured: Soldiers Bay is on Guernsey’s east coast, below Fort George. 

While there is no official advice against swimming in the area, Guernsey Water has warned anyone going in the sea at Soldier’s Bay about the damaged pipe.

It has been discharging raw sewage from properties at Fort George into the sea much closer to the shore than it should be.

Guernsey Water doesn’t know how long the pipe has been damaged, but this week it confirmed that specialist workers had been able to inspect part of the pipe which is underwater.

The utility said its own staff, supported by Guernsey Ports staff, went to the Fort George outfall on Monday this week.

It was the first time they were able to carry out a visual inspection of the pipe and the suspected damaged chamber because it could only be done on very low tides.

This survey confirmed that the outfall pipe itself is not blocked and it is damaged in the area around the inspection chamber.

“We now need to assess how the damage can be repaired,” said Guernsey Water. “Before we do this, we also need to survey the section of pipe that is always below water.”

The utility said that work can’t be done immediately because a lot of seaweed has grown on the pipe.

“We are working with divers from Guernsey Harbours on this,” said Guernsey Water. “Given the damage, and the difficulty of the working environment, it is unlikely to be a quick repair.

“As soon as we have a plan for repairs, we will provide a further update. If you swim in the area, please be aware that this is the current situation.”