Pollution concern for British beaches
A new survey has revealed a doubling in the number of British beaches failing EU water standards.
Research for this year’s Good Beach Guide by the Marine Conservation Society (MCS) found 52 beaches across the country failed to meet EU requirements last year, compared to 26 in 2003.
However, the guide, which monitored more than 800 beaches between May and September 2004, found more than half still reached the highest standards.
Of the beaches monitored, 427 (53 per cent) conformed to the highest standard for clean bathing water, more than the 422 in 2003 but less than the record 453 in 2004.
The MCS said last year’s wet summer was to blame for the decline in water quality as the rain increased pressure on sewage systems and caused many to divert into rivers and coastal waters.
But it said that without the considerable investment in the sewage infrastructure in recent years, the problem could have been much worse.
“The Met Office issued 100 flash weather warnings in August alone and big storms produce poor water quality,” said MCS coastal pollution officer Thomas Bell.
“Fortunately, huge investment in the sewage infrastructure by the water companies over recent years offset the storm pollution effect, and the overall picture is not as bad as might have perhaps been expected five years ago.”
Mr Bell urged the Government to provide more information for swimmers about the temporary increase in water pollution caused by heavy rainfall.
