String of sewage warnings for beaches around Cornish coast
Surfers Against Sewage says storm sewage has been discharged from sewer overflows
Last updated 7th Oct 2021
A string of sewage warnings have been issued for beaches around the Cornish coast.
Surfers Against Sewage says storm sewage has been discharged from sewer overflows over the past 48 hours.
That means there is a pollution risk and people are being advised not to enter the water.
Beaches including Seaton, Millendreath, Par Sands, Pentewan, Gylly, Swanpool, Porthleven, Perranuthnoe, Sennen, Porthminster, Carbis Bay, Godrevy Towans, Gwithian Towans, Porthtowan, Holywell Bay, Crantock, Fistral South, Fistral North, Mawgan Porth, Polzeath, Crackington Haven and Widemouth Bay are all affected.
You can find the interactive map with live updates here.
You can find more information from St Agnes based Surfers Against Sewage below.
What is the problem?
Sewage and agricultural pollution still plague the rivers and ocean. In 2019 there were over 200,000 discharges of untreated sewage into UK rivers and almost 2,000 discharges into UK coastal bathing waters during the May-September bathing season alone.
The sheer volume of sewage and run-off entering the water means the UK is ranked just 25th out of 30 EU countries for coastal water quality and only 14% of rivers meet good ecological status.
What is sewage pollution?
Sewage pollution is classified as everything we flush down the loo or wash down the drain which is released into the environment via Combined Sewer Overflows (CSOs), as well as the run-off from agriculture, roads, landfill and poor waste management – otherwise known as diffuse pollution.
Where does sewage pollution come from?
Sewage pollution is released into rivers and the ocean through Combined Sewer Overflows (CSOs). CSOs are emergency infrastructure assets permitted to discharge untreated wastewater during periods of heavy rain. CSOs are an essential part of our sewage infrastructure designed to prevent sewage backing up into homes when there is an extreme rainfall event. However, evidence shows that CSOs are now being used with alarming frequency, polluting the environment and posing a threat to people and wildlife.
What are the risks involved with sewage pollution?
When we surf, swim or play in water that has raw sewage in it we are at risk of gastroenteritis, ear, nose and throat infections, skin infections, and even hepatitis and e-coli. Research has shown that water users in the UK remain just as likely to become ill from seawater as they were in the 1990s. Poor water quality can also harm river and ocean wildlife, reducing biodiversity and damaging delicate ecosystems.
You can find more information on water quality from Surfers Against Sewage here.