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.

However, MCS has warned that the number of beaches failing minimum legal standards for water quality, or only achieving a basic pass, is significantly higher compared to this time last year, and 1 in 8 beaches have suffered a serious short-term pollution incident at some point during the first half of the summer.

MCS Coastal Pollution Officer Thomas Bell said: “The vast majority of Britain’s beaches have taken the brunt of this summer’s wet weather exceptionally well. But MCS warned in May that climate change is forecast to bring summers punctuated by violent storms and flash floods, and today’s report reflects the pollution pressures that such weather can bring. Heavy rain will periodically sweep waterborne pollutants such as raw sewage, organic refuse and farm waste from the land into rivers and the sea. The problem for swimmers is knowing when that has happened.”

MCS has called on the government to provide public information on all bathing beaches, advising swimmers that coastal waters can be temporarily affected by increased pollution, with a consequent risk to bathers’ health, after heavy rain.

MCS said specific counter pollution measures are needed including expansion of the sewer system to handle large volumes of storm water, and the rapid improvement of an estimated 2,000 failing combined sewer overflows.

The Society has urged swimmers to be aware of possible pollution after severe rain or flooding, and where pollution occurs to wait at least 24 hours after the rain stops before entering the sea.

This mid-season beach report is derived from water quality samples from each of 553 official UK bathing beaches.

The results are published on the MCS Good Beach Guide website www.goodbeachguide.co.uk.

(SP/KMcA)