Warning poor water quality could impact businesses on North Yorkshire coast
Our analysis of Government data suggests unsafe levels of E.coli have been detected on the North Yorkshire coast this summer
Last updated 14th Aug 2023
A surfing instructor on the Yorkshire coast has warned poor bathing water quality could affect the future of businesses in and around Scarborough.
Our analysis of Environment Agency data suggests unsafe levels of E.coli have been detected three times this summer, around Scarborough's North and South Bays, and at Robin Hood's Bay near Whitby.
Steve Crawford, who runs a surf shack and is part of the group Surfers Against Sewage, is one of those calling for action.
He told Greatest Hits Radio poor water risks making people ill, saying: "I've had ear infections, I've had a bad stomach.
"Most of the people who surf here frequently will say at one point they've not been very well because of the water."
Steve, who has been in the town for almost two decades, admits he would have set up shop somewhere else if he knew how bad bathing water would become.
"The beach has been red flagged meaning lifeguards are telling people not to go in the water. That means I can't work
"People coming into the town will see the sea as a 'no go' area."
An Environment Agency spokesperson said: "Investigations into what is driving the drop in quality at Scarborough South are ongoing – it is a complex issue as we know there are a number of different pollution sources that impact water quality at different times."
Yorkshire Water denied discharging sewage into the affected waters in the 48 hours before testing was carried out.
The company said: "“We are keen to play our part in improving bathing water quality on Yorkshire’s coast, and we have already invested £110m in our operations along the east coast to help improve bathing waters.
"We are in the process of investing to improve the operation of Wheatcroft overflow at Scarborough to further improve bathing water quality."