Menu
20/08/2004
Summer rains could pose health risk to bathers: warning
This summer’s heavy storms could lead to sewage discharges from overwhelmed drainage infrastructure posing a potential pollution and health risk on Britain’s bathing beaches, the Marine Conservation Society (MCS) has warned.
The MCS, a charity dedicated to the protection of the marine environment and its wildlife, has called for permanent signs on all bathing beaches, advising swimmers of the dangers following heavy rain bursts.
Following periods of heavy rainfall, and to avoid floodwater overwhelming local sewage treatment plants, CSOs divert untreated sewage away from treatment plants and discharge directly into rivers and coastal waters.
Diffuse pollution, which can also invade ground water, rivers, streams, estuaries, or discharge directly into the sea, can affect any beach even if it is not subject to CSO and storm water outfalls, the MCS said.
Many bathing beaches have some of the UK 25,000 Combined Sewer Overflows (CSO) and storm water outfalls sited near them, the society said.
The WHO has found a "proven causative link" between such pollution and both gastroenteritis and acute febrile respiratory illness (AFRI).
The epidemiological evidence linking sewage pollution with diseases such as hepatitis A, enteric fever, poliomyelitis and typhoid is less conclusive, but may be proven given sufficient clinical research, the MCS has said.
A spokesperson for the society said that while storm discharges were necessary to avoid sewage flooding people’s homes, bathers can be put at risk in MCS recommended beaches.
Thomas Bell, MCS Good Beach Guide Officer, said: “We accept that pollution surges are at present an almost unavoidable consequence of heavy rain. MCS is therefore urging the government and beach managers to adopt a mandatory national scheme to provide permanent public information about storm pollution on every bathing beach.”
The MCS Good Beach Guide has been published annually since 1987 and provides information on water quality and sewage discharges at over 1,000 UK beaches.
(gmcg)
The MCS, a charity dedicated to the protection of the marine environment and its wildlife, has called for permanent signs on all bathing beaches, advising swimmers of the dangers following heavy rain bursts.
Following periods of heavy rainfall, and to avoid floodwater overwhelming local sewage treatment plants, CSOs divert untreated sewage away from treatment plants and discharge directly into rivers and coastal waters.
Diffuse pollution, which can also invade ground water, rivers, streams, estuaries, or discharge directly into the sea, can affect any beach even if it is not subject to CSO and storm water outfalls, the MCS said.
Many bathing beaches have some of the UK 25,000 Combined Sewer Overflows (CSO) and storm water outfalls sited near them, the society said.
The WHO has found a "proven causative link" between such pollution and both gastroenteritis and acute febrile respiratory illness (AFRI).
The epidemiological evidence linking sewage pollution with diseases such as hepatitis A, enteric fever, poliomyelitis and typhoid is less conclusive, but may be proven given sufficient clinical research, the MCS has said.
A spokesperson for the society said that while storm discharges were necessary to avoid sewage flooding people’s homes, bathers can be put at risk in MCS recommended beaches.
Thomas Bell, MCS Good Beach Guide Officer, said: “We accept that pollution surges are at present an almost unavoidable consequence of heavy rain. MCS is therefore urging the government and beach managers to adopt a mandatory national scheme to provide permanent public information about storm pollution on every bathing beach.”
The MCS Good Beach Guide has been published annually since 1987 and provides information on water quality and sewage discharges at over 1,000 UK beaches.
(gmcg)
Related UK National News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
10 April 2008
Plastic Not Fantastic For Welsh Beaches
A survey carried out by the Marine Conservation Society (MCS) has revealed that Welsh beaches have the most man-made litter than any other in the UK. The beaches also ranked at the bottom of the table for fishing litter and articles washed ashore during last year. The beaches surveyed by volunteers from MCS included Langland Beach.
Plastic Not Fantastic For Welsh Beaches
A survey carried out by the Marine Conservation Society (MCS) has revealed that Welsh beaches have the most man-made litter than any other in the UK. The beaches also ranked at the bottom of the table for fishing litter and articles washed ashore during last year. The beaches surveyed by volunteers from MCS included Langland Beach.
15 April 2014
Record Number Of UK Beaches Awarded For 'Excellent' Water Quality
A record number of UK beaches have received awards for water quality, in the annual Good Beach Guide. The water quality at 73% of the UK's beaches have been classed as "excellent" by the Marine Conservation Society (MCS), who say that the driest summer since 2003 caused less pollution to filter down from town and cities in to coastal waters.
Record Number Of UK Beaches Awarded For 'Excellent' Water Quality
A record number of UK beaches have received awards for water quality, in the annual Good Beach Guide. The water quality at 73% of the UK's beaches have been classed as "excellent" by the Marine Conservation Society (MCS), who say that the driest summer since 2003 caused less pollution to filter down from town and cities in to coastal waters.
24 August 2007
Beach Guide Reports 1 In 8 Hit By Pollution
The Marine Conservation Society (MCS) has reported that water quality at 85% of the UK’s bathing beaches as of a ‘Good Standard’ following a mid-summer analysis of water quality data from 553 bathing sites.
Beach Guide Reports 1 In 8 Hit By Pollution
The Marine Conservation Society (MCS) has reported that water quality at 85% of the UK’s bathing beaches as of a ‘Good Standard’ following a mid-summer analysis of water quality data from 553 bathing sites.
03 May 2012
Wet Summer Sinks Standards Of Scottish Bathing Beaches
The Marine Conservation Society has recommended fewer bathing beaches in Scotland in its latest Good Beach Guide. The number of beaches in Scotland recommended for their excellent bathing water quality in the annual Marine Conservation Society (MCS) Good Beach Guide has dropped in the last year, putting Scotland behind the rest of the UK.
Wet Summer Sinks Standards Of Scottish Bathing Beaches
The Marine Conservation Society has recommended fewer bathing beaches in Scotland in its latest Good Beach Guide. The number of beaches in Scotland recommended for their excellent bathing water quality in the annual Marine Conservation Society (MCS) Good Beach Guide has dropped in the last year, putting Scotland behind the rest of the UK.
15 May 2006
Blue Flags rise on beach clean up
There has been an increase in the number of beaches to win a Blue Flag for their standards of water quality and accessability. Improvements in cleanliness of beaches in England and Wales have seen 120 beaches awarded the coveted Blue Flags.
Blue Flags rise on beach clean up
There has been an increase in the number of beaches to win a Blue Flag for their standards of water quality and accessability. Improvements in cleanliness of beaches in England and Wales have seen 120 beaches awarded the coveted Blue Flags.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherToday:After a dry start this morning rain will spread from the northwest across all parts. This afternoon will be dull with some patchy rain and drizzle. Becoming much milder through the afternoon. Maximum temperature 11 °C.Tonight:A cloudy evening and night with a little light rain or drizzle, perhaps some clear periods developing along the east coast. A very mild night everywhere. Minimum temperature 10 °C.
