Guernsey Press

‘Wash hands if you use Cobo’

ISLANDERS are being urged to wash their hands after visiting Cobo beach, after a series of erratic water quality results.

Published
(Picture by Adrian Miller, 28671745)

There have been four poor results in the last six weeks, but an Agriculture, Countryside and Land Management Services spokesman has said it is important to note that on re-test the samples have shown that the water quality has quickly returned to a good or excellent standard.

‘While we can offer reassurance that for the majority of the time the water at Cobo Bay is within the acceptable bathing water limits and does not pose a risk, on several recent occasions it has been found to exceed these levels,’ they said.

‘Poor water quality can sometimes be associated with run off from heavy rainfall. However, as we cannot currently provide the level of certainty we would wish, the public should be aware of this when considering whether to swim at Cobo Bay. As always we would recommend that the public maintain good hand hygiene after visiting the beach.’

Investigations are under way to try and establish a cause for this fluctuation in results, which include checking the public toilets via the use of red dye to try and track any source.

The water quality at beaches is checked regularly during the summer swimming season – between May and September.

Cobo was classed as having poor water quality in 2018, but then scored mostly good and excellent ratings last year. Looking at this year’s results, both Petit Bot and L’Ancresse have had poor results.

Following notification of a bathing water sample not achieving an acceptable result, a re-sample is arranged.

Environmental Health and Pollution Regulation liaises with Agriculture, Countryside and Land Management and Guernsey Water regarding any known issues or incidents in the area, and an assessment of the area is made whilst re-sampling.

If the failure is an isolated failure, then it is probable that there is a natural source but where recurrent or persistent failures are witnessed, further investigations are carried out.

If any members of the public has information on possible sources they are advised to contact the Environmental Health and Pollution Regulation by email on envhealth@gov.gg or phone on 711161.