Several beaches in the South West have had pollution incidents in the past 48 hours, according to an environmental charity. Surfers’ Against Sewage water quality map shows eight beaches in the region are currently experiencing reduced water quality.
The warnings are in place on beaches where a sewer has been ‘discharged’ within 48 hours, often due to heavy rainfall causing an overflow of the combined sewage and run-off system. The Cornwall-based charity's campaign against water pollution has led to the creation of the warning system which advises when swimmers and surfers should stay out of the water to avoid getting sick or ingesting sewage, reports Devon Live.
The following beaches in the West Country have had recent pollution incidents, according to SAS:
Read more: Raw sewage pours into the sea at two West Country beaches
Burnham Jetty North
"Storm sewage has been discharged from a sewer overflow in this location within the past 48 hours," it states on their website. "Just to the north of the rivers Brue and Parnett estuaries, Burnham Jetty North is a large, sand and mud, gently sloping beach resort backed by sea defences with a large tidal range.
"Although there are no sewer overflows discharging directly onto the beach, there are several within the catchment area that discharge into the rivers. More overflows from the surrounding urban area may also affect bathing water quality here."
Minehead
"Storm sewage has been discharged from a sewer overflow in this location within the past 48 hours," according to SAS.
Combe Martin
"Bathing not advised today due to the likelihood of reduced water quality," SAS writes on its website. "Backed by a small resort town, Coombe Martin is a sandy beach in a sheltered valley at the western edge of Exmoor National Park.
"The River Umber flows through a channel at the western end of the beach. A sewer overflow discharges into the Umber River some 30m upstream of the beach with two more discharging further upstream. Other discharges from the surrounding urban area may also affect water quality particularly after heavy rainfall."
Porthluney
"Bathing not advised today due to the likelihood of reduced water quality," writes SAS. "A sheltered and sandy beach popular with swimmers, it is backed by the grounds of Caerhays Castle.
"There is a ban on motorised water-craft here to maintain the peace and quiet."
Pentewan
"Storm sewage has been discharged from a sewer overflow in this location within the past 48 hours," according to SAS. "Pentewan, located on the south coast of Cornwall, is a privately owned sandy beach resort, approximately 1.1km wide.
"There is an emergency sewer overflow from the Pentewan pumping station that discharges to the St Austell River 250m from the beach. Within the Pentewan bathing water catchment there are four emergency sewer overflows that discharge into the St Austell River at least one and a half kilometres upstream of the bathing water."
Swanage Ulwell stream
"Storm sewage has been discharged from a sewer overflow in this location within the past 48 hours," it says. "Flowing from Nine Barrow Down south to Swanage Bay, the Swanage Ulwell Stream is two and a half kilometres long.
"There is a CSO from the Swanage Shore Road which discharges into the stream 340m from the beach which may affect water quality especially after heavy rainfall."
Poole Harbour Rockley Sands
"Bathing not advised today due to the likelihood of reduced water quality," according to SAS. "Found well within Poole Harbour, Rockley Sands is a small sand and mud beach with a small harbour and slipway set below a train track and beside a large holiday park.
"It is very popular for watersports although swimming is limited. There are no sewer overflows discharging directly onto the beach, however, as the beach is located within Poole Harbour, the bathing water may be affected by other overflows from the surrounding area."
Poole Park Lake
"Storm sewage has been discharged from a sewer overflow in this location within the past 48 hours," it says. "Poole Park Lake is located in an urban park adjacent to Poole Harbour.
"The boating lake is around 21 hectares in size and between 1 and 1.5 meters deep. The lake is filled via tidal sluice and local water drainage. Wessex Water provide data on their assets impacting this beach from the surrounding area."
