Coastal Water Quality Program

Data Base

How do we rate the quality of the coastal water?

Results

Results correspond to the level of bacteria, called enterococci, measured in the coastal water.
Enterococci are found in the intestines of warm-blooded animals and are excreted in the faeces and rarely present in unpolluted waters. The bacteria are found in very high numbers in raw sewage, making it a good indicator of sewage pollution.

Description

Good: Bacterial levels are safe for bathing per NHMRC guidelines.

Fair: Bacterial levels indicate an increased risk of disease for bathers, especially those with poor immune function, such as the elderly and young children.

Poor and bad: Bacterial levels indicate a significantly increased risk of disease for bathers.

Coastal water monitoring database

Here are all the databases we use to interpret and forecast the coastal water quality.

  • Rate of Enterococci present in the coastal Water
  • The water height (Tide table)
  • Precipitation during the last 6h / 24h / 48h / 72h / Last week
  • Water temperature

Table on the left:

Show the rate of Enterococci present in water by location sampled each week from September 2020.

Table on the right:

An average of the results obtained since September 2020 (overall) / in 2021 / in 2020, by location.

TNTC: Too Numerous To Count

Table on the left:

Show the average of the results according to the combination of several locations in Port Vila Bay, in the first lagoon and in the second lagoon since September 2020.

Table on the right:

An average of the results obtained since September 2020 (overall) / in 2021 / in 2020, in Port Vila Bay, in the first lagoon and in the second lagoon.

TNTC: Too Numerous To Count

  • Port Vila Bay = Vodafone Beach / Sea Front Jetty
  • 1st Lagoon = Ramada Area / Retreat Seaside / Sea Side / Rowing club / Erakor Bridge Area
  • 2nd Lagoon = Second Lagoon Entrance / Club Hippique
  • Port Vila Bay = Chantilly’s / Vodafone Beach / Nambawan cafe / Sea Front Jetty / iririki Wharf / Scuba Diving
  • 1st Lagoon = Ramada Area / Sea Side
  • 2nd Lagoon = Second Lagoon Entrance / Club Hippique

Below, the table shows the sample collection times per day.

Below, the table shows the tide times on the days of sample collection. The chart is a representation of the height of the water at each high and low tide.

Tide times are only valid for Port Vila bay (including Chantilly’s, Vodaphone beach, Nambawan Cafe, Sea Front Jetty, Irriki Wharf and Scuba Diving)