Ten beaches in England and Wales fail basic pollution level test

[The Patriot]

Ten beaches in England and Wales fail basic pollution level test

11-08-2011 06:26 AM

Published:
Tue, 2011-11-08 14:23


Ten beaches in England and Wales fail basic pollution level test


Heather Joy


Ten beaches in England and Wales fail basic pollution level test

Ten beaches and swimming spots in England and Wales could become “no-swim zones” after failing basic water quality standards, experts have warned according to a report in the Daily Mail online.

The sites with high pollution of sewage levels included six in Lancashire and two in Devon.

Inspectors from the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) visited 502 sites in total, it was reported. They found that several spots in Blackpool, a popular tourist destination, failed basic water tests.

Andy Cummins, of environmental campaign group Surfers Against Sewage, told The Sun: “This is a massive warning sign. The current standards are woefully inadequate.”

According to The Daily Mail report, beaches that fail to meet newly introduced EU guidelines by 2015 will be closed to bathing and fined. The Environment Agency said that 89 percent of beaches, a total of 447, do meet the tougher new standards.

“Over 8 billion Great British pounds has been invested by water companies and the Environment Agency to upgrade our sewage systems and reduce pollutions,” Christine Tuckett, the head of bathing at the agency, told The Daily Mail. “As a result, almost all of our beaches reach the minimum standards now."

She added that agency officials and farmers were working together to reduce the amount of animal waste washed into rivers, as well as with local authorities, beach managers and water companies to improve water quality at 37 sites.

According to the news report, the agency is also addressing the issue of pollution caused by homes and businesses, where incorrectly plumbed appliances such as dishwashers and toilets may be contributing.

The report also announces that the investigators will try to identify the source of pollution at 44 other sites.


The failing beaches:

• Blackpool Central
• Blackpool South
• St. Anne’s North
• St. Anne’s Pier
• Half Moon Bay
• Fleetwood
• Walpole Bay
• Ilfracombe Capstone
• Combe Martin
• West Shore

More...