ST. AUBINS FOAM, SEA LETTUCE AND TREATED SEWAGE - SOS UPDATE We have had several calls and emails about the above foam and have also been sent a video of treated sewage discharged to sea at high tide from the Bellozanne outflow. On Saturday morning Dr. Tim du Feu, the Environmental Regulator, on a BBC Radio Jersey Interview yesterday morning was inclined to think that the foaming could have possibly arisen from contractors using an accelerant for setting cement in Victoria Pool and that still may be the case. Dr. du Feu will be checking on that tomorrow. However, Dave Double, who was kayaking in the Bay yesterday afternoon also observed the phenomenon. He sent us photographs shown of sea lettuce covered in foam. (photo 1) He observed the foam line building along the length of the outflow on Saturday afternoon as the tide was rising and the heat was building. It was happening as he watched. The foam then plumed out as the tide covered the outflow and gave a similar effect to that we saw in the first set of photographs taken by Chris Perkins. It seems that this could be a reaction of the algae with the excess nitrates coupled with hot sun and high water temperatures, and may be the cause of the foam. It could also be an additional source of the foam as well as an isolated chemical incident as previously suspected at Victoria Pool. Excessive nitrates on their own are not harmful to swimmers, but they do alter the ecology of the bay (and bays further along the coast) and are causing our increasing green weed problem which is not good for the health of our beaches, marine life or our tourist industry. The second photo is sent to us by Lee Fernades and shows the build up of sea lettuce in the vicinity of the Bellozanne outflow. The third photo which is made up of stills from a video sent to us by Paul Collas show how the treated sewage looks when discharged at high tide from the outflow. It may be bacteria free (except when it rains heavily) but is it something youd want to swim in? We have written to Dr de Feu asking if his baseline testing included nitrate levels, also levels of any heavy metals, and asking why the outflow itself was not tested. Environment say there is no need as they know what leaves the UV plant. But what is pumped out may have changed on the way. Additives after the UV plant may have occurred and also there is a possibility that a temperature spike on the way down from the UV plant may chemically or biologically alter the effluent. If all is OK at the outflow bacteria wise then we would be interested to know about the nitrate levels and have any other substances identified or eliminated. SOS NOTE: we will soon be able to release our report on the future of the asbestos containers following a meeting with the Minister Kevin Lewis and his CEO John Rogers last week. Before doing so we have afforded them the courtesy of checking it for accuracy.
Posted on: Sun, 27 Jul 2014 15:24:39 +0000