July 16th 2023.
Swimmers and surfers have been warned of the potential risk of sewage pollution at 54 beaches in the south-west of England. The heavy rainfall in recent days has increased the chances of polluted water entering the sea, according to the marine conservation charity, Surfers Against Sewage.
33 Cornwall beaches have been placed under the 'sewage pollution alert', meaning storm sewage has been discharged from a sewer overflow into the area within the past 48 hours. A further 21 beaches have been placed under the 'pollution risk forecast', meaning there is a chance sewage will appear in the area.
Surfers Against Sewage monitors 68 of the peninsula's beaches, with around 80% of them potentially polluted. Popular tourist hotspots such as Looe, Falmouth and Penzance are among those affected. Urban runoff is the main contributor to beach pollution, with water from rain and other outdoor water use not soaking into the ground and instead draining from roofs, driveways, sidewalks and other surfaces.
Josh Harris, who is part of Surfers Against Sewage, told The Agency: "When it rains, it pours sewage. Water companies treat our coastline, rivers and lakes as an open sewer, with decades of under-investment whilst shareholders and directors get paid millions. It's a totally unacceptable situation and that's why we are demanding an end to dirty money in the water industry and an end to sewage pollution."
The organisation's website states that the UK consistently ranks as one of the worst European countries for coastal water quality, due to the sheer volume of pollution entering our water. They believe the UK's sewage systems are 'antiquated and woefully inadequate', and have accused water companies of failing to invest in coastal and river protection. In 2021, sewage was discharged into rivers and seas 370,000 times for a total of 2.7 million hours.
Some water experts recommend waiting 72 hours before entering the sea after it rains, as swallowing contaminated water can lead to a number of serious illnesses, including nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, cramps and inflamed stomach and intestines.
The Met Office has issued weather warnings over the weekend as heavy rain and thunderstorms have hit the country hard. The Goodwood Festival of Speed was forced to cancel the event's first day for the first time in its 30-year history, while the Wimbledon men's final was able to go on as planned on Sunday, albeit with some chilly winds. Meteorologists have stated that we are seeing 'quite unseasonably unsettled weather' for this time of year.
A number of popular beaches are affected by sewage pollution, including Kingsand, Cawsand, Portwrinkle, Downderry, Seaton, Millendreath, East Looe, Readymoney Cove, Polkerris, Par Sands, Shorthorn Beach, Charlestown, Duporth, Porthpean Beach, Pentewan, Portmellon, Gorran Haven, Little Perhaver, Porthluney, Pendower, Porthcurnick, Gyllyngvase, Swanpool, Maenporth, Porthallow, Porthoustock, Coverack, Kennack Sands, Polurrian Cove, Poldhu Cove, Perranuthnoe, Marazion, Long Rock, Penzance, Wherry Town, Porthgwidden, Porthkidney, Gwithian Towans, Godrevy Towans, Portreath, Trevaunance Cove, Perranporth, Crantock, Fistral South, Fistral North, Porth, Mawgan Porth, Porthcothan, Harlyn Bay, Trevone Bay, Polzeath, Trebarwith Strand and Crackington Haven.
Surfers Against Sewage are protesting against sewage pollution and calling for an end to dirty money and sewage pollution in the water industry. With the UK's sewage systems being 'antiquated and woefully inadequate', it is important that we all do our part in reducing beach pollution and protecting our environment.
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