‘Give surfers truth about sea sewage’
SURFERS and swimmers must have accurate information year-round on sewage being pumped into the sea, say campaigners.
On Tuesday, North Devon Tory MP Selaine Saxby will launch a bid to change the law so people are not scared out of the water when it is safe – but equally will know to steer clear when there is a health risk.
The Environment Agency currently takes up to 20 water samples at each of England’s designated bathing waters from May to September.
The MP wants them tested throughout the year, as surfers and swimmers use them all the time.
Her constituency is home to the North Devon Surfing Reserve, an 18-mile stretch of coast that is the only one in Britain and one of only 12 globally.
Ms Saxby, who describes herself as a “one-woman tourist board”, is concerned “damaging misinformation” about water quality can spread and wants this to be countered.
She said: “I very much hope by introducing this Bill, we can all come together in supporting the need for accurate data which will ensure better, consistent guidance for residents and tourists to enjoy our beautiful beaches all year round.”
The EA tests for “faecal matter” in the water and looks for two specific types of bacteria – E. coli and intestinal enterococci.
It says on its website that a “sample tells us the quality of the water at that specific time but water can change over the course of one day”.
Charles Watson, the founder and chairman of River Action UK, said: “The lack of public information on bathing water is a major concern. “The EA only weeks ago published the 2023 statistics on sewage discharges, showing an exponential increase in the number of hours human effluent was released into our waterways and seas. There should be a significant increase in public information relating to the implications of this rising tide of pollution for human health.”
A Defra spokeswoman said: “Sewage pollution in our waters is unacceptable, which is why we are providing more funding to our water regulators.
“Last year, 96 per cent of bathing waters met the minimum standards – up from 76 per cent in 2010 despite stricter standards being in place – and we will shortly set out plans to further improve our regulations.”
‘Implications for health’