Surfers Against Sewage Are Calling For A Review of the UK’s Bathing Water Sample Sites.
Surfers Against Sewage (SAS) believe the weekly bathing water samples required by the EU Bathing Water Directive should be taken from the area of the bathing water that presents bathers and water users with the greatest source of pollution, if a significant amount of bathers and recreational water users can be expected to regularly use that are area of beach.
Surfers Against Sewage are concerned that a number the UK’s designated bathing water sample spots around the UK do not provide a true guide to the water quality that a bather or water user might experience at our bathing waters. The implications are incredible concerning, as our widely promoted water quality results could be misleading the public about the potential health risk at a number of the UK’s bathing water.
The Bathing Water Directive states (Art3.3) the monitoring point should be where most bathers are expected or the greatest risk of pollution is expected, according to the bathing water profile.
In the UK Regulations (Schedule 4.1) Defra have transposed the obligation to locate the monitoring point where the most bathers are expected. This was part of the original transposition
The European Commission’s Reference Document for the monitoring and assessment requirements of the revised Bathing Water Directive published August 2014 states:
• A bathing water is not defined by its physical size. The length of its corresponding beach can vary between bathing waters and the distribution of bathers within a bathing water can be uneven. If there are, or could be, significant differences in water quality within any discrete area, then appropriate measures (such as ensuring monitoring targets the area presenting the greatest risk to bathers, or sub-dividing the area into separately identified bathing waters) must be taken.
• A single location for collecting a sample should be designated regardless of the length of a bathing beach provided it is representative of the quality of the entire bathing water and a large numbers of bathers are distributed evenly along a bathing beach. Where large numbers of bathers are distributed unevenly along the length of a beach or a bathing water does not meet the requirements of uniform water quality that would satisfy the conditions for a grouped bathing water, it must be separated into individual bathing waters.
This document contains the bathing waters SAS are calling for a sample spot review in England. Coastal observations suggest the majority of beach users utilize the areas surrounding the entrance to the beach. Only the minority seems to arrive at the beach and walk a significant distance from the main access route/car park/infrastructure. For this reason the recommendations given below are not only based around local knowledge from SAS’s extensive regional rep network but also the positioning of car parks, beach access routes, cafes, shops, lifeguard huts etc.
There are 16 sites highlighted for review in this document and their regional distribution are shown below:
SW S E NE NW Croyde St Helens Ingoldme Bamburgh Blackpool lls South Castle Central Fistral Swanage Scarborough South Bay Godrevy Redcar Lifeboat Station The Newbiggin Towans North (Hayle)
Porthleven Whitley Bay Budleigh Salterton Dawlish Town
Surfers Against Sewage recommendation to review the sampling point at Bamburgh Castle
Background
Bamburgh Castle is a gently sloping, long (2.5km), sandy beach with a large area of sand exposed at low tide. The beach is bordered by rocky outcrops with rock pools and is set within an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty with views across to Farne Island, a National Nature Reserve. The Mill Burn stream flows across the northern end of the beach. Perched behind the beach, standing guard, is Bamburgh Castle built on a volcanic outcrop. Facilities are limited due to the remoteness of this beach with just toilets, parking and a café/restaurant available. Swimming, fishing, surfing, kitesurfing, windsurfing and rock pooling are all popular here. Consistent, surfable waves can be found at this exposed beach with offshore winds blowing from the SW and ideal swells coming from the NE. Two sewer overflows discharge into the Mill Burn further upstream which then flows across the beach to the sea.
Reasons for proposed change
The sampling point is located in front of the eastern end of Bamburgh Castle in the centre of the beach. However, due to the location of two car parks at the western end of the beach and several major beach access routes (see maps below) this would seem to indicate that this is a main bathing area. This would not be a problem if it were not for the fact that the Mill Burn stream flows to the beach from between the car parks and straight down through the main bathing region. As explained above, there are two storm and an emergency overflow that discharge further upstream.
Approx. 600m
A CSO discharges further upstream into the Mill Burn which flows across a popular bathing area to the sea
Two car parks and several Approximate sampling point main beach access routes are located either side of the mouth of the Mill Burn into Recommendation Recommended sampling which a number of CSOs point discharge.
Based on the information provided above, we would recommend that the sampling point is moved further to the west of the beach to incorporate the main bathing region.
Surfers Against Sewage recommendation to review the sampling point at Blackpool Central
Background
Blackpool Central, located close to the centre of this busy seaside resort, is flat sandy beach between Blackpool South and Central Piers. It is backed by a high sea wall and promenade. Facilities are in abundance here; kiosks, shops, cafes, restaurants, pubs, bars, deck chair hire, a slipway, toilets, parking, amusements and arcades. Kitesurfing and windsurfing are by far the most common watersports carried out here while swimming, bathing, canoeing and kayaking are also popular. Surfing here is similar to this whole stretch with average quality waves to be found in the right conditions; offshore in E winds. A sewer overflow discharges straight onto the beach around the centre of this beach - the sewerage facilities of the area were upgraded in 2010.
Reasons for proposed change
Blackpool is possibly the most famous seaside resort in the UK and well known throughout the world. This makes it incredibly popular and Central Beach is no exception. However there is approximately 500m between the sampling point and a sewer overflow which is located on the site of a very popular bathing region.
A sewer overflow discharges in front of a popular bathing region.
The recommended outcome, this stretch be re-designated as two bathing waters with two sampling points.
The sampling point is around 500m from the CSO and bathing region.
Recommendation Based on the information provided above, we would recommend that, due to the popularity of this stretch of coastline, the beach be re-designated as a number of bathing waters to best serve bathers/water users.
Surfers Against Sewage recommendation to review the sampling point at Budleigh Salterton
Background
With its famous large, smooth pebbles playing an integral part in its designation as an Ancient World Heritage Coastline, Budleigh Salterton is a 2km stretch of resort beach with red cliffs at the western end and the River Otter Estuary at the eastern and backed by a promenade and the town. Cafes, restaurants, shops, toilets and parking are all available here. Swimming, sea canoeing and kayaking, windsurfing, fishing and snorkelling are all carried out at this popular beach resort. There are three sewer overflows discharging around Budleigh Salterton. One discharges directly onto the beach, one 400m east of the bathing water and another that discharges to the sea 1.3km away.
Reasons for proposed change
There is a large car park, a main beach access route, a cafe and a line of beach huts around 400m to the east of the sampling point. At the same spot is a river into which a CSO discharges further upstream. There is also another stream to the east of this and a CSO that discharges on the other side of a small headland. The sampling point, however is several hundred metres to the west.
Sampling spot CSOs/streams
Recommended sampling point, much closer to the main car park and bathing area and CSO
Recommendation Based on the information provided above, we would recommend that the sampling point be moved further to the east which seems to be much more popular with bathers and water users.
Surfers Against Sewage recommendation to review the sampling point at Crantock
Background
Crantock, on the north coast of Cornwall is a wide, sandy beach backed by dunes with a river running across its northern end. Parking, restaurants, toilets, beach shops, pubs and a café are available here along with camping and caravan sites. Swimming, bathing, snorkelling, fishing, windsurfing, canoeing and surfing are all very popular here. A sandbar to the north of the beach offers, powerful, fast right hand waves while the, river mouth sand bar is popular with longboarders. There is also a rare left in the southern corner in large swells. Crantock is offshore in SE winds. Three sewer overflows surround Crantock - one discharges into the River Gannel 500m upstream of the beach, one from the West Pentire pumping station on the SW side of the beach and another that discharges to the Gannel much closer to the beach.
Reasons for proposed change
The sampling spot at this beach is surrounded by sewer overflows with one 700m to the south, one further inland and another that discharges into the River Gannel at the northern end of the beach some 350m north of the sampling point. There is a car park with major beach access at the northern end of the beach which is by far the most popular spot for bathing and other water use. Crantock is a busy beach, especially in the summer where countless children play in the river which also has caused the formation of a very popular surfing wave at the northern end of the beach.
The sampling spot, A CSO discharges into the River Gannel which surrounded by CSOs is popular with bathers There is also a CSO at and meets the sea at a the southern end of the popular surfing spot. beach, another popular The surfing spot. recommended
sampling spot
Recommendation
Based on the information provided above, we would recommend that the sampling point be moved to the northern end of the beach to coincide with the most popular bathing region.
Surfers Against Sewage recommendation to review the sampling point at Croyde
Background
Croyde Bay is a sandy beach resort, backed by dunes and surrounded by hills. There is a small stream flowing across the beach. Croyde Bay is another very popular beach. Facilities are plentiful here; cafes, restaurants, pubs, B and Bs, shops, a slipway, toilets, watersports rental and hire, various campsites and a caravan and holiday park. Swimming, bathing, snorkelling, fishing, kayaking, canoeing and surfing are carried at in Croyde Bay with surf and canoe rental also available. There are three main surfing spots inside the bay - Downend Point, the beach and the reef. Located at the southern end of the bay, Downend point offers long rides with a steep take-off over jagged rocks at low tide and is not for beginners. The main beach is home to one of England's best beach breaks with fast, hollow left and right hand breaking waves surfable at all stages of the tide. The wave is surfable in big swell but gets crowded. Croyde Reef is the final wave in this bay - needing a large swell to work properly, fast, hollow right hand waves breaking in shallow water can be found here at the northern end of the bay. All waves are offshore in E winds. A sewer overflow discharges across the reef at the northern end of Croyde Bay while other discharges from sewer overflows from the surrounding urban catchment may also affect water quality here.
Reasons for proposed change
Croyde is a very popular beach with both bathers and surfers. The current sampling point is located in the middle of the beach while there are car parks, a well-known holiday park, shops, beach access route complete with beach information posts, cafes and a popular surfing/bathing region at the northern end of the beach close to where a sewer overflow discharges.
A CSO discharges across the rocks at the northern end of the beach directly in front of a popular surfing/watersports spot.
The recommended sampling point is much closer to the main bathing region and beach infrastructure.
The sampling point is located nearly 300m south of the CSO and main bathing region.
Recommendation Based on the information provided above, we would recommend that the sampling point be moved further towards the northern end of the beach to cater for the much more popular bathing region.
Surfers Against Sewage recommendation to review the sampling point at Dawlish Town
Background
This long, sandy resort beach (approx. 650m) is backed by the famous railway line, the town of Dawlish and cliffs. At high tide much of the beach is submerged, however at low tide a family-friendly sandy beach is exposed. Cafes, restaurants, toilets, parking, shops, a slipway and pleasure boat cruises are all available here. Swimming and fishing are the most popular watersports carried out here. The beach is relatively sheltered, although large winter swells can produce waves; best swell direction is SSW and offshore in NW winds. There are 3 sewer overflows discharging onto the beach at Dawlish Town and a further 2 sewer overflows that discharge into streams.
Reasons for proposed change
Dawlish Town is another complicated bathing water due to the number of CSOs and streams that discharge in the vicinity of the bathing water. There are 4 CSOs that discharge into a stream at various points just under 300m south of the sampling point. It would appear that this section is also a major area for water users and bathers with car parks, cafes and other facilities. It is also much closer to the town centre.
The sampling point is in the middle of several CSOs. The recommended sampling point, close to the main bathing area
CSOs and streams surround the sampling point
Recommendation Based on the information provided above, we would recommend that the sampling point be moved to the south due to the existence of what seems to be a more popular bathing region closer to the town centre.
Surfers Against Sewage recommendation to review the sampling point at Fistral
Background
Fistral is one of the most famous surfing beaches in the UK. South Fistral is backed by high cliffs and offers up rock pools as the tide drops, while North Fistral is backed by an extensive sand dune system with rocks at its northern end. It is a west-facing large expanse of sand close to the seaside resort town of Newquay, the surf capital of Cornwall. The infamous big wave spot 'The Cribber' lurks at the northern end of the bay. With the close proximity to Newquay, a whole host of facilities are on offer here; toilets, parking, shops, hotels, bars, restaurants, kiosks and watersports hire are all available at the beach with plenty more facilities in the town a short walk away.
Swimming, sailing, boating, kayaking, canoeing, jet skiing, bathing, Stand Up Paddle boarding, body boarding and snorkelling are all carried out here as, of course, is surfing. Fistral is a very consistent beach break with South Fistral offering left hand breaking waves on a higher tide while North and Little Fistral break both ways. Although it breaks at all stages of the tide it is the hollow, low tide barrels that have provided Fistral with its reputation. Crowds are a major hazard with all manner of skill levels mixed in. Two sewer overflows discharge into the sea at Fistral; one at the southern end of Pentire Headland while the other is to the north on Towan Head.
Reasons for proposed change
As Fistral is such a large, popular beach with separate car parks, access routes, facilities and lifeguard services, it seems obvious that it should be counted as two bathing waters. The sampling point at the moment is located at the northern end of the beach, however there is a CSO that discharges to the south, very close to a popular surfing wave and a very popular bathing region.
A CSO on the other side of the headland at the northern end of the beach
The present sampling point favours North Fistral, while there is also a very popular bathing region nearly 800m to the south
SAS recommends that the beach be re- designated as two separate bathing waters with a sampling point for each.
There is a CSO located at the southern end of the
beach very close to a popular surfing and water sports area.
Recommendation
Based on the information provided above, we would recommend that the bathing water be re-designated as two separate bathing waters; North Fistral and South Fistral to coincide with the separate bathing regions, each with their own car park, beach access route, facilities and life guard services.
Surfers Against Sewage recommendation to review the sampling point at Godrevy
Background
Godrevy is at the northern end of a vast stretch of sand, running from Hayle in the south broken only by Hayle River. It is a sandy beach backed by dunes at its southern end becoming more rocky to the north with crumbly cliffs backing the beach. The Red River also flows across it. To the north of Godrevy is the iconic Godrevy Lighthouse which is thought to have inspired Virginia Woolf's book "To The Lighthouse". Godrevy is a relatively remote beach meaning all but the basic facilities are a short journey away. Toilets, parking, a restaurant, surfboard hire and an ice cream van are available at the beach. The village of Gwithian is nearby with pubs and campsites. A popular holiday destination, the beach is used for swimming, bathing, kayaking, canoeing, windsurfing, sailing, jet skiing, Stand Up Paddle boarding, body boarding and surfing. This long stretch of sand picks up most swell in the area and offers up good quality beach break lefts- and right- hand breaking waves. Godrevy is offshore in SE winds and works at all stages of the tide. No sewer overflows discharge directly onto the beach, however there are two that discharge further upstream into the Red River that occasionally affect bathing water quality.
Reasons for proposed change
Currently the sampling spot is several hundred metres south of the Red River into which 2 CSOs discharge before it flows across the beach to the sea. A car park, lifeguard hut, café and surf school as well as the main beach access route complete with beach information sign are all located at the northern end which is extremely popular with bathers and water sports enthusiasts. There is a regular, lifeguarded bathing area just to the north of the river during the summer months and the spot is popular with surfers, bathers and families.
Two CSOs discharge further upstream into this river which flows across the beach directly in front of a popular watersports spot.
The recommended sampling point is much closer to the main bathing region and CSO.
The sampling point, several hundred metres to the south
Recommendation
Based on the information provided above, we would recommend that the sampling point be moved to the northern end of the beach to monitor the Red River and be closer to the bathing and other water sports region.
Surfers Against Sewage recommendation to review the sampling point at Gorleston Beach
Background
A popular, seaside resort beach in East Anglia, Gorleston is situated just south of Great Yarmouth, with the mouth of the River Yare as its northern border. The beach is 3km long and comprises sand backed by rock armour and a concrete sea wall. Groynes can be found the length of the beach. With the proximity to Gorleston-on-Sea and Great Yarmouth facilities are plentiful within a small radius; parking, toilets, cafes, restaurants, bars, shops, fun fairs etc. A number of sewer overflows discharge into the River Yare.
Reasons for proposed change
At the northern end of the beach can be found car parks, main beach access routes, a beach information sign and other beach amenities such as a pond and bouncy castles, indicating that this is by far the most popular bathing region. With the River Yare just to the north this main bathing region is in much closer proximity to the many CSOs that discharge into it than the sampling point which is several hundred metres to the south.
A number of CSOs discharge into the River Yare
The recommended sampling spot is much closer to the main access route/main bathing region
The main bathing region with car parks, beach information signs, beach facilities etc.
The sampling point is roughly 400m south of the river mouth and the main bathing region.
Recommendation Based on the information provided above, we would recommend that the sampling point be moved further to the north, possibly even to the northern most point where it will be better suited to monitor the bathing water.
Surfers Against Sewage recommendation to review the sampling point at Ingoldmells South
Background
Ingoldmells South Beach is a popular, sandy resort beach on the Lincolnshire Coast. It is located on a fairly developed stretch of coastline and is backed by a promenade and several large, well-known holiday park and Fantasy Island. At the northern end of the beach Ingoldmells Main Drain flows across the beach to meet the sea. With the existence of the many caravan and holiday parks behind the beach, facilities are plentiful here – cafes, restaurants, toilets, parking, shops etc. A number of sewer overflows discharge into the Main Drain which meets the sea at the northern end of the beach.
Reasons for proposed change
With the busyness of the beach and the large number of caravan parks, car parks and beach access routes all along the beach it is clear that the whole length of the beach is used by bathers and water users. A number of CSOs discharge into the Main Drain at the northern end of the beach, however, with the sampling point being around 500m to the south this could put bathers and water users at risk.
A number of CSOs discharge into Ingoldmells Main Drain.
The recommended sampling point is at the northern end of the beach, closer to the main bathing region and CSO
The sampling point is around 500m from the CSO/Main Drain.
Recommendation
Based on the information provided above, we would recommend that the beach be either re-designated as two bathing waters (one with the sampling point at the northern end) or that the sampling point be moved further to the north, closer to the Main Drain to be more effective in protecting bathers and water users.
Surfers Against Sewage recommendation to review the sampling point at Newbiggin North
Background
Newbiggin North Beach is a gently sloping sandy resort beach at the northern end of Newbiggin Bay. It is approximately 500 metres in length and is backed by a promenade which runs around the whole length of the bay. Behind the promenade is located the town of Newbiggin-by-the-Sea which has plenty of facilities; restaurants/cafes, toilets, shops, beach parking etc. A fairly consistent, exposed left-hand reef break (Church Point) can be found at the northern end of the bay and there is a small beach-break further south. Newbiggin is at its best in offshore winds (NW) and NE swell. Coastal walking is popular here as the cliffs are rich in fossils, while bathing and surfing are also carried out. There are two sewer overflows at Newbiggin North, one discharges directly onto the beach at the northern end while the other discharges off the rocks to the north, close to the Church Point surf break.
Reasons for proposed change
As can be seen from the maps below, the sampling point is some 300m and 450m away from the two CSOs. The furthest CSO (discharging across the rocks just east of the beach) is in close proximity to Church Point, a relatively consistent reef, point-break that is fairly exposed and can get crowded when it receives the preferred conditions. The other Combined Sewer Overflow is located close to the main car park, children’s play area and main beach access route. The facilities on offer here combined with the beach information sign at the entrance are evidence that this is a popular bathing region.
This is a large car park in front of a children’s play area and a main access route to the beach complete with a beach information sign.
CSO s
The recommended sampling
Sampling point point is located at the most Church
popular bathing region in front of Point the main access route
Recommendation
Based on the information provided above, we would recommend that the sampling point is moved further to the north east of the beach to incorporate the main bathing region and the popular surfing area.
Surfers Against Sewage recommendation to review the sampling point at Porthleven
Background
Directly to the south east of the picturesque fishing village and harbour of Porthleven, Porthleven West is a small shingle beach backed by high cliffs and is just across the harbour mouth from Porthleven reef break, arguably one of the best waves in the UK. Toilets, cafes, restaurants, shops, parking and a slipway are all available in the village of Porthleven directly behind the beach. Sailing and fishing are carried out here while Porthleven Reef is very popular with surfers. A fast breaking wave that breaks over shallow reef and can get very crowded can be found to the west of the harbour mouth. Right and left hand breaking waves are available at Porthleven. Preferred swell direction is SW with offshore winds being NE. There are three sewer overflows in the vicinity of Porthleven West. One discharges into the harbour, one to the east of the harbour mouth over the rocks into the sea and another at the western end of Porthleven West, also into the sea.
Reasons for proposed change
While the sampling spot is located on the beach several hundred metres to the east of the harbour mouth there are several very popular spots for surfing and other recreational water use such as fishing, body boarding, kayaking and canoeing. Two of the CSOs are located at spots where very popular, world renowned waves break (to the west and at the end of the harbour wall). The main beach access route complete with beach information sign is also located at the western end of the beach, close to the harbour wall.
The recommended sampling point is at the western end of the beach so to incorporate the popular watersports spots in the harbour mouth.
A CSO discharges across Another popular wave is Sampling point located the rocks to the west of the on the beach to the east located at the same sites as this harbour at the site of a very CSO. of the river mouth. popular surfing wave.
Recommendation
Based on the information provided above, we would recommend that the sampling point be moved to the northern end of the beach to incorporate the popular water sports spots as well as the main bathing location and access area on the beach.
Surfers Against Sewage recommendation to review the sampling point at Redcar Lifeboat Station
Background
A busy resort beach and an ideal location for kitesurfing and windsurfing, this sandy beach has some rocky areas and is situated close to the town where a wide range of shops, restaurants and pubs can be found. All the amenities of a busy seaside resort are available here; cafes, pubs, restaurants, parking, toilets and shops are all a short walk from the beach. Redcar Lifeboat Station is smaller and sheltered by offshore reefs (Redcar Scars), a surfable wave can only be found at mid to high-tide. Good waves can be found off the Scars but few people have surfed the outer scars. Needs a N swell and is offshore in SW winds. Windsurfing and kite surfing are also done here. There are a number of sewer overflows close to this bathing water. These were the subject of an improvement scheme in 2006 designed to minimise their impact on bathing waters.
Reasons for proposed change
Redcar is a popular town beach. The current location of the sampling point is nearly 500m away from the CSO which is located in front of the cinema, closer to town at a main bathing region. There is a large car park, a main beach access route and a wider expanse of sand where the CSO is located, it is also closer to the town centre.
The recommended sampling point is much closer to the beach access The CSO and bathing area and the CSO.
The sampling point is some way from the CSO and the main bathing region.
Recommendation
Based on the information provided above, we would recommend that the sampling point be moved several hundred metres to the west to be better placed for the CSO and safety of water users.
Surfers Against Sewage recommendation to review the sampling point at Scarborough South Bay
Background
Scarborough South Bay is a very popular, long, sandy resort beach located directly below the front in the centre of town. It is also one of Britain's most famous seaside towns. There is a plethora of facilities close to this beach - cafes, shops, toilets, restaurants, kiosks, take-aways, deck chair hire and parking being a few examples. The harbour at the northern end of the Bay adds protection and tends to clean up large N swells that make North Bay unsurfable. On a SE swell left- and right- hand waves breaking over sand can be found at high tide while less crowded reef breaks can be found at the southern end of the Bay. Swimming, sailing, canoeing and Stand Up Paddle boarding are also popular here. There is a sewer overflow that discharges directly onto the beach with two more at 800m and 2.5km away from the bathing water.
Reasons for proposed change
With Scarborough South Bay being such a popular beach and being so close to the centre of town, the full extent of the beach is used, particularly in the summer months. There are also car parks and beach access routes along the extent of the beach indicating that all areas are used for bathing. With the sampling spot being at the northern end it is a distance of around 400m from the CSO and stream. This means that bathers and water users who use the southern end of the beach are a long way from the sampling point and much closer to the CSO. There is even evidence of this on the EA website where their bathing water profile picture clearly shows people using the entire stretch of the beach.
Sampling point located at the northern end of the very popular beach
CSO and stream located closer to the centre of the beach
With the huge popularity of the whole stretch of beach the recommended sampling point is closer to the southern end and CSO
The Spa complex with cafes, surf shops, surf hire, parking and several beach access routes.
Recommendation
Based on the information provided above, we would recommend that the sampling point be moved further south, maybe to the centre of the beach where the CSO and stream discharge to fully protect bathers and water users at either end of the beach.
Surfers Against Sewage recommendation to review the sampling point at St Helens, Isle of White
Background
St Helens is a small bay located at the mouth of the River Yar, in Bembridge Harbour on the east coast of the Isle of White. The beach is quiet and consists of gently sloping sand. It is backed by a promenade and beach huts. Due to its rural nature, facilities are sparse at this beach and limited to a café, toilets and slipway although there is a holiday park nearby. There are three sewer overflows in the vicinity of this bathing water, one further upstream and one either side of the beach.
Reasons for proposed change
The sampling point is in the middle of the beach, however the main bathing region is several hundred metres to the north, much closer to the CSO. This area of beach has beach huts, the promenade, a car park, a main beach access point, a cafe and a holiday park. There is also a CSO to the south where there is another, not as popular bathing region complete with car park and basic facilities.
The recommended sampling point is much closer to the main bathing area and the CSO
The sampling point is several hundred metres south of a very popular bathing area
There are three CSOs surrounding the bathing water
Recommendation
Based on the information provided above, we would recommend that the beach be either split into two bathing waters with sampling points close to the CSOs on either side of the river or moving the sampling point to the north end of the beach closer to the CSO and also the main bathing area.
Surfers Against Sewage recommendation to review the sampling point at Swanage Central
Background
A long, sandy, reasonably flat beach, Swanage Central is flanked by chalk headlands and backed by a promenade and the town of Swanage. Several cafes and restaurants with parking and toilets are available at the beach with more located in the town of Swanage. Swimming, bathing, snorkelling, diving, windsurfing, sailing, canoeing, kayaking and fishing are all popular here. Due to its easterly facing, Swanage would need a huge SW swell to wrap around the headland and produce waves. It is offshore in W winds. Three sewer overflows can be found at Swanage; one at the southern end of the beach, one towards the centre and another that discharges into the sea off the headland to the south. Other discharges from the surrounding urban area may also affect bathing water.
Reasons for proposed change
The Swanage Central bathing water is a complicated one due to the number of sewer overflows and streams that discharge across it. While the sampling point is in the middle of the beach there is a major bathing area towards the northern end with parking, cafes and shops, a beach information sign and a watersports shop. These all indicate that this is popular with bathers and other water users.
A CSO and stream some 400m from the sampling point close to a watersports centre, car park and beach information posts.
The recommended bathing water sampling point is much closer to the main beach access/bathing region and the watersports centre
The sampling point located between 3 CSOs and 3 streams.
Two more CSOs are located at the southern end of the beach
Recommendation
Based on the information provided above, we would recommend that the sampling point be moved to the northern end of the beach to cater for its increased popularity.
Surfers Against Sewage recommendation to review the sampling point at The Towans (Hayle)
Background
Located at the mouth of the Hayle River, The Towans (Hayle) is a long sandy beach making up the southern end of a huge stretch of sand in St Ives Bay. It is a very popular area due to the vast golden sands and sand dune systems. With the town of Hayle set back from the beach, a range of facilities are available here; parking, toilets, cafes, shops, kiosks, pubs, a lido, takeaways and ice cream parlours. Popular with families and surfers alike; swimming, bathing, canoeing, sailing, boating, paddle boarding, kayaking, surf skiing, kite surfing, windsurfing, fishing and surfing all take place at Hayle. A sheltered river mouth, Hayle offers left- and right- hand breaking waves in large swells. Offshore in S winds, rip currents are an issue. A sewer overflow discharges across the middle of the beach from the Towans pumping station.
Reasons for proposed change
St Ives Bay is one of the most popular areas in Cornwall due to its long, picturesque stretch of golden sand backed by low cliffs and wide sand dune systems full of wildlife. At The Towans (Hayle) the sampling point is located nearly a kilometre from a CSO that discharges into the river mouth. The CSO is much closer to the main car park, beach access route and very popular swimming area than the sampling point. The CSO is also close to several camp sites and the harbour.
The sampling point is over 1km away.
This CSO is located close to a popular bathing site, the The recommended sampling point lifeguard hut, several campsites, the main car park and is close to a main car park, the the major beach access route. lifeguard hut, the main beach access route and bathing region Recommendation
Based on the information provided above, we would recommend that the sampling point either be moved to the south so it is closer to the bathing region and the CSO or the beach be re-designated as a number of bathing waters due to its size.
Surfers Against Sewage recommendation to review the sampling point at Whitley Bay
Background
A 2.5km, slightly sloping, sandy beach with sporadic rocky outcrops, this beach is backed by a promenade and the very active seaside resort of Whitley Bay. A leisure centre, shops, restaurants, bars, pubs, clubs, cafes, hotels and a mini-golf course are all within close proximity to the beach. Swimming, bathing, Stand Up Paddle boarding, kayaking, canoeing and surfing are all popular here. A fairly exposed beach break offering both left- and right- hand breaking wave, Whitley Bay gets busy when the conditions are right for surfing. Offshore winds are from the SW and ideal swell direction is NNW. There are 6 sewer overflows that discharge onto the beach here, with three towards the south of the beach, two in the centre and one that discharges offshore.
Reasons for proposed change
With the large number of CSOs (6) and streams (4) that discharge across the beach, the general popularity of the beach (several car parks and access routes) and its size, there are a number of popular bathing regions that are not covered by the sampling point. At the northern end of the beach is a large car park with several paths leading to the beach and promenade. There are three streams and 2 CSOs that discharge within close proximity to this car park, some 800m from the sampling point. There are also several CSOs to the south of the sampling point.
River and CSO discharges
Main car parks
Sampling point
Recommendation
Based on the information provided above, we would recommend that bathing water be split into two separate bathing waters with different sampling points. A sampling point at the northern end of the beach would
References
Pritchers R, 2014 Reference Document for the monitoring and assessment requirements of the revised Bathing Water Directive [online] available at