Water firms urged to monitor sewer overflows

Water companies have been urged to monitor their combined sewer overflows, after it was revealed that the number of UK beaches failing to meet minimum standards for water quality pollution increased in 2012.

The Marine Conservation Society’s (MCS) annual Good Beach Guide found that 42 beaches failed to meet the minimum European standards for bathing water quality in 2012, 17 more than the previous year. 

It recommended only 403 of the 754 UK bathing beaches tested in 2012 as having excellent water quality, 113 less than in 2011. 

The report attributed the rise to the unusually wet summer last year. Relentless rain and flooding in many part of the country led to an increase in the amount of bacteria and viruses in bathing waters. 

MCS said the results show that its calls for improved monitoring of combined sewer overflows and action to reduce pollution from farms and populated areas is needed urgently. 

“We have recommended fewer beaches in every English region and in Wales and Scotland. In England, the north west and south west were hit particularly hard, with the fewest number of recommended beaches for at least a decade. Action must be taken now. With stricter bathing water standards from 2015 and summers that appear to be getting wetter, the iconic image of people bathing off golden beaches could be at serious risk,” said Rachel Wyatt, coastal pollution officer, MCS. 

“There is no simple solution to sewage and animal waste reaching our seas. However if the water industry, communities and local authorities recognise that there is a problem and begin to work together to find answers then that would be a significant start.” 

She said water companies could provide data to local authorities about when and for how long their combined sewer overflows spill into rivers and the sea.