Conflicting Beach Water Quality Reports Confusing

North Cyprus News - Beach
[File Photo]
The recent conflicting reports about beach water quality are causing confusion among the public.

Despite recent government reports that the sea water quality was described as “excellent”, the water at some beaches that were reported as having high E. Coli levels (240) while others with no E. Coli were also marked as “excellent”. This inconsistency has raised doubts, Kibris Postasi reports.

The situation became even more complicated when Kyrenia Municipality revealed that their test found bacteria at Kervansaray Beach, which was deemed “clean” by the Health Ministry. According to Kyrenia Mayor Murat Şenkul, while E. Coli levels were reported as zero, enterococci bacteria* were detected in amounts ranging from 8 to 15. However, the Health Ministry’s data had shown these bacteria as completely absent.

These discrepancies are leaving people uncertain about which results to trust. Citizens who want clear and reliable information about beach water quality are now looking for answers from the authorities.

Kibris Postasi

*In many countries, water quality standards set by organisations like the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) or the European Union (EU) have specific thresholds for enterococci levels, especially for recreational waters. For instance:

  • EU Standards: The EU requires that enterococci levels in bathing waters should not exceed 100 colonies per 100 millilitres in 95% of samples, and should not exceed 200 colonies per 100 millilitres in any single sample.
  • EPA Standards: The EPA recommends that the geometric mean of enterococci levels should not exceed 35 colonies per 100 millilitres, and no single sample should exceed 104 colonies per 100 millilitres.

Levels ranging from 8 to 15 colonies per 100 millilitres are generally below these thresholds, but they may still be noteworthy. Even low levels of enterococci can indicate potential contamination and might warrant further investigation, particularly if there are fluctuations or if the levels trend upward over time. [Ed.]

 

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