The Bristol Channel coastlines boast long stretches of sandy - and sometimes muddy - beaches that offer plenty of opportunities to enjoy watersports and swimming in the sea.
But according to the Environment Agency, there are two beaches that have failed water quality checks. It advises against bathing in them and in the case of one - it says its recommendation is permanent as the beach is not designated a place to swim, reports Somerset Live.
The area around Burnham Jetty North is no longer a designated bathing water. The Agency says: "Permanent advice against bathing is in place at this water. It is no longer designated as a bathing water under the Bathing Water Regulations 2013 because the water has been classified as poor for five consecutive years."
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"It is no longer designated as a bathing water under the Bathing Water Regulations 2013 because the water has been classified as poor for five consecutive years."
The agency says the beach sits at the mouth of two large rivers, the Brue and Parrett which greatly influence the bathing water quality.
It has added: "Despite extensive investigations and investment bathing water quality cannot be guaranteed to achieve the sufficient standard required under the Bathing Water Regulations."
Weston-super-Mare sea water quality
Weston-super-Mare Uphill Slipway was found to have poor water quality, based on samples taken on from 2016 through to 2019, according to the Environment Agency. The latest results can be viewed here with samples taken regularly between May and September.
This stretch of costline is at the southern end of Weston Bay, around a mile from the centre of Weston-super-Mare and is reached via the village of Uphill to the south of the town. It is a popular alternative to the busier beaches around the town and its piers.
The beach was rated as poor in 2019 and 2017, but water was found to be of "sufficient" quality in 2016 and 2018. Experts at the Environment Agency say it has "been working over a number of years to investigate sources of pollution to this bathing water."
The agency has sat out what is doing to work with Wessex Water, local councils, farmers, landowners and businesses to improve water quality, which is affected by nearby sewage treatment works outfall, water in the River Axe that runs along the beach, and two nearby drains from the Somerset Levels.
A statement on its website adds: "Recent investigation work has been continuing with Wessex Water as part of their investment programme. This includes a review of sewerage performance within the Weston-Super-Mare area to determine what improvements, if any, would be needed to improve bathing water quality further to secure a Good Class and beyond to Excellent."
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