River contamination sullies Jersey's clean bathing waters

Jersey's experience has confirmed what many environmental practitioners know - when one source of contamination is dealt with, another is sure to appear. Despite an efficient ultra-violet disinfection system at its main sewage works, some of the island's coastal waters fail EC microbiological quality standards. A research project has shown that bacterial inputs via rivers have a major impact on coastal water quality, and suggests that catchment controls may be the next step needed to ensure that water quality standards are met.¹