Results from 11 beaches show the water’s fine

Seawater samples continue to show Bermuda’s beaches are safe to swim on.

The latest raft of results, which were taken on Tuesday from 11 beaches across the island, are all well within the safety standards for swimming.

A spokesperson for the Department of Health said: “Results from Tuesday’s samplings showed that enterococci counts were low for all beaches.

“EPA guidelines state that a single day sample should be less than 104 cfu/100ml.

“Therefore the water quality at all beaches tested was well within the safety standards for swimming.”

Seawater samples were taken from Elbow Beach, Grape Bay, Warwick Long Bay, Horseshoe Bay, Hungry Bay, John Smith’s Bay, Clearwater Beach, Shelly Bay, Tobacco Bay, Snorkel Park and Grotto Bay.

All the results were well below the 104cfu/100ml safety standard with Grape Bay, John Smith, Clearwater Beach, Shelly Bay and parts of Elbow and Horseshoe recording readings of ‘0’ enterococci counts.

This week the Health Department provided more information about the sampling process.

A spokesperson said: “The sample is taken approximately one foot below the surface and in one continuous ‘dip’.

“At beaches, samplers enter water thigh high and dip, holding the bottle a foot below surface or they use the sampling pole and take the sample one foot below the surface.

“The sample location is kept consistent.

“Location, wind, tide, time, and date are recorded on the Seawater Sampling Form.

“Samples are stored in a cooler with ice for transport.”