Marine Conservation Society tests at Cobo last year put the water below European standards but the body has admitted that stormy weather might have been a factor. (Picture by Daniel Guerin, 0583489)

COBO has failed basic water-quality standards. One of Guernsey’s most popular beaches has fallen below the European Union legal minimum standard.

The Marine Conservation Society has released its Good Beach Guide for 2008 and only two of Guernsey’s 13 main beaches have been recommended – last year, four were. Cobo dropped from a basic pass to a fail while Pembroke, which failed to reach the standard last year, improved to a basic pass.

The MCS blamed last summer’s poor weather for this year’s results, saying storm pollution took its toll on water tests conducted between May and September. Run-off from the land may have been the cause.

But the society also said Guernsey’s continued reliance on pumping raw sewage into the sea had had an impact.