The U.S. Consulate General in Bermuda issued an advisory on March 31,
warning visitors about contaminated beaches along the island's south
coast.
The advisory was based on a 2013 study of the waters
around Bermuda, which found that "the ongoing dumping of raw sewage off
Bermuda's south coast causes intermittent contamination of the waters
along the south shore beaches, creating a public health hazard."
The
report also said that the government of Bermuda planned to take measures
to reduce or treat the discharge, "but as of March 2014, the dumping
continues unabated," the consulate said.
The study was conducted by the University of
Laval in Quebec; the Bermuda Institute of Ocean Sciences; the Bermuda
Departments of Conservation, Health and Environment; and the Bermuda
Central Laboratory.
In 2013, as many as five of the south shore
beaches were described as "unfit for recreational use" on different
occasions based on water samples.
The consulate's warning said
that swimmers might want to consider Hepatitis A and typhoid shots
before swimming in Bermuda's waters.
The government was quick to
respond. In a statement, Trevor Moniz, Bermuda's minister of health and
environment, reassured "that our beaches are safe for swimming and
recreational use."
Moniz said that periods of contamination
involved limited areas, lasted for short periods and happened under
specific weather conditions.
"Bathing in Bermuda's water does not pose a health issue," he said.
The
Department of Health is alerted when wind and weather conditions
combine to create contamination risks. Environmental staff are said to
monitor Bermuda's beaches on a regular basis and take water samples
twice a week at the major beaches.
The government plans to spend more money on sewage treatment plants, according to Moniz.