Canvey Island beaches could get 'designated bathing water' status
The local council is looking to step up protection for popular swimming sites
Castle Point wants to apply for designated bathing water status for Canvey Island seafront.
Bathing water designation enables a council to assess what action is needed to improve water quality to meet the standards set by the Bathing Water Regulations.
Popular beaches and inland bathing sites are designated as bathing waters, because they attract large numbers of bathers.
If the water does not meet minimum standards this is investigated and remediation measures are recommended to help protect public health from pollution hazards.
If adopted at Castle Point cabinet next week the three main beach areas of Concord Beach, Labworth and Thorney Bay beach will join the over 600 designated Bathing Waters – sites that are popular for swimming and paddling and have been designated under the Bathing Water Regulations 2013.
Water Quality standards have been set for Bathing Waters based on World Health Organisation research into the incidence of stomach upsets in people bathing in waters with different levels of bacteria.
Water is tested for two types of bacteria, E. coli and intestinal enterococci. These bacteria usually get into water from sewage and animal manure.
Tests are carried out regularly, usually weekly, by government environmental agencies between May and September in England and Wales
Bathing Waters are categorised as ‘excellent’, ‘good’, ‘sufficient’ or ‘poor’ on the basis of bacteria levels. Sites are rated annually, and on a short term basis in response to temporary pollution.
By law, the local council must display information, online and on signs at Bathing Waters, about water quality and pollution sources during the bathing season. If there is a temporary pollution incident they must explain the nature of the problem and how long it’s likely to last.
If a bathing Water is classified as ‘poor’, an ‘advice against bathing’ symbol must be put up on site and online, along with information about pollution sources and what action is being taken to clean it up. This does not prevent people from swimming but there might be an increased risk of getting ill.
On receipt of an application DEFRA would consult with several organisations including Anglian Water and the Environment Agency.
If DEFRA approves the application the Environment Agency would be required to develop a bathing water profile and put plans in place to monitor and protect the bathing water. By law the Council would be required to inform users about water quality and pollution sources at the designated bathing water during the season.
A statement as part of cabinet papers to be discussed next week said: “Consultation and surveys would be carried out between May 15 to September 30 2023 with the results being included in the application which would be submitted by December 31, 2023.
“Whilst good quality bathing water results would be beneficial in helping to attract more visitors to the seafront, poor bathing water quality sampling results would possibly have the opposite effect and adversely impact on local businesses.”