Havelet whiff still unclear

Monday 09 January 2023

The cause of unpleasant smells in the Havelet Bay area can't be confirmed but Guernsey Water has insisted it's safe to swim and socialise there.

Questions were recently asked about smells in the area - with passers-by noticing the unpleasant aroma already this year as well as repeatedly last year.

Guernsey Water has previously carried out tests in the area following complaints about the smell from members of the public. 

Despite concerns that that smell came from sewage being pumped out or washing up in the bay, these tests did not show any trace of sewage.

Wanting to find out what the tests did show up, Deputy Lester Queripel brought the issue up politically, by lodging a 'rule 14' question for the States Trading Supervisory Board to answer.

Pictured: Deputy Lester Queripel.

The formal written question policy allows States members to raise concerns publicly with answers forthcoming within two weeks. As STSB has responsibility for the island's utilities, the committee was asked about the Havelet smell.

Shortly before Christmas, Deputy Queripel asked them what is causing the smell. He said Guernsey Water had said it wasn't sewage but had not said what it was.

"So with that in mind, are you able please to tell me what it is that is causing the smell?" he asked.

STSB confirmed that Guernsey Water doesn't know and that it may be seaweed or something else. The bathing water has passed all water quality tests with an "excellent" pass despite any smells. 

STSB said: "Guernsey Water does not have a definitive answer as to the cause of the smells in the area of Havelet Bay. There are other sources of odour which are unrelated to sewage, including the breakdown of organic matter such as seaweed, which can give off a similar smell.

"I can confirm that bathing water in Havelet Bay, measured on a four-year rolling period, is classified as 'Excellent'."