‘We’ll keep using crystal clear Cobo’
POOR water quality problems at Cobo have come as news to some of its regular users.
A notice from Agriculture, Countryside and Land Management warned people to wash their hands after visiting the beach after a series of ‘erratic’ water quality test results.
Graham Le Page has swum at Cobo most days since April and has been a regular at the beach for years.
‘The water is crystal clear and in the last week or so I’ve not noticed any problems at all.
‘I know occasionally it does get affected by the outfall.’
But he said poor water quality would not put him off anyway.
The swimmers who take a dip every day have not reported any issues, said Cobo Kiosk manageress Liz Baker.
‘When there were jellyfish people came and talked about it,’ she said, but nobody had mentioned poor water or suffering any tummy upsets after visiting the beach.
‘There’s still the same regulars as usual and it’s not put off any of the kayakers or paddle-boarders,’ she said, adding that she regularly used the paddle boards herself.
‘Water sports around here are incredibly popular. Up to last week there were about 28 youngsters out there on paddle boards.’
A notice on one wall of the kiosk states that last year the beach’s water quality was classed as ‘sufficient’, one up from ‘poor’, which was its grading in 2017 and 2018.
Paddle boards and kayaks are rented to beachgoers by Outdoor Guernsey, whose Ant Ford-Parker said he had never heard anyone complain about the water quality.
‘Our summer school is in there all the time,’ he said.
‘We’ve had no reports of any problems.’
Outdoor Guernsey has been using the beach for 10 or more years: ‘I’ve never had a reported issue and I’ve never noticed anything,’ he said.
‘It’s absolutely beautiful out there.
‘Visibility is second to none.’
He wondered where the water samples were being taken from that had led to the concerns.
‘If they’re just taking them from near the shore that could affect it,’ he said.
n If anyone has information on possible sources of pollution they are advised to contact the Environmental Health and Pollution Regulation by email on envhealth@gov.gg or phone on 711161.
