The polluted ‘Brown Flag' beaches you should avoid this summer
Dirty beaches and polluted rivers are nothing new in the UK. I recall, in the mid-1980s, my sister's grim descriptions of the brownish brine off Conwy in North Wales, where she learnt to water-ski. I have seen suspicious things floating in the River Dart in Totnes and off the beach at Blackpool North.
So it came as no surprise to discover that the waters off both Totnes and Blackpool North Beach are classified as 'poor', with 'bathing not advised', on the latest annual Swimfo water-quality survey, published by the Environment Agency (EA). It collates water samples and checks for intestinal enterococci (IE) and Escherichia coli (E.coli) – bacteria which, if ingested, can cause nausea, severe stomach pain, diarrhoea and, in the worst cases, contribute to kidney failure.
This year's report surveyed 450 sites in England regularly used by swimmers, the majority on the coast, but also a handful of popular inland bathing sites. Half of the latter, on the EA map, are denoted by a red no-entry sign, probably reflecting the widely reported impact of farming run-off on inland rivers. The Government has promised to 'clean up our waterways – dramatically cutting sewage spills by 2030', and it clearly has a job on its hands.
Overall, 413 (or 92 per cent) of the 450 swimming sites met at least the minimum standard of the Bathing Water Regulations and 289 (64 per cent) met the 'excellent' standard. Thirty-seven, or 8 per cent, did not meet the minimum standard, and were classified as 'poor'. The proportion of 'good' and 'excellent'-rated sites has fallen slightly year on year – partly because 18 of 27 newly added locations were classified as 'poor'.
Environment Agency chair Alan Lovell said the results 'show there is much work still to do, particularly to bring our inland bathing waters up to standard'. Water minister Emma Hardy was more forthright: 'These figures are unacceptable and show that too many of our popular swimming spots are polluted.'
Kirsty Davies, community water quality manager at marine conservation charity Surfers Against Sewage (SAS), points to deeper problems in the data.
'This month sees the start of the official bathing season in England and Wales, with more and more people flocking to blue spaces. The Swimfo map shows the stark contrast between the number of designated sites on the coast versus inland, as well as showing that many sites are polluted.
'Once the bathing season starts, Swimfo shows data up to a week after a sample has been taken which is totally useless for water users checking conditions before going for a surf, swim or paddle. This isn't good enough. SAS is calling for real-time monitoring for pollutants harmful to human health – not just the two bacteria types that are currently monitored. Detailed, year-round monitoring has to happen to ensure people can check water quality conditions at our wild waters any time of year.'
Davies also criticised a proposed 'feasibility test' scheme that, she claims, 'will deem some locations as too polluted to protect'.
She said: 'If these locations fail the feasibility study, even though it is proven to be well-used by bathers, they will not be designated as a bathing water. This is an appalling development which allows water companies to continue dumping sewage whilst washing their hands of responsibilities to clean up their act.'
For its part, the Government says polluting water bosses could face up to two years in prison. It is also axing fixed water-bathing seasons, which it recognises are outdated.
In the meantime, where can we swim with confidence, and where should we avoid?
The cleanest beaches
Devon and Cornwall have the most beaches surveyed and, as you'd expect, the greatest number of cleanest, three-star options: 56 for Devon and 73 for Cornwall.
Devon favourites like Babbacombe, Bantham and Hope Cove in South Devon, and Lynmouth and Ilfracombe Tunnels in the north, scooped three stars. Plymouth Hoe's two beaches and Paignton Sands were also classified as 'excellent', showing mass-market destinations can be kept spick and span.
There were six two-star beaches, including Goodrington and Wembury. Ilfracombe Hele and Sandy Bay received only one star.
In Cornwall, three stars were garnered by Harlyn Bay, Mawgan Porth, Porthcurno and both Praa Sands beaches, besides many others. Fourteen two-star beaches included Marazion and Penzance. Par Sands was the county's sole one-star beach.
Dorset is another big hitter, with 34 three-star beaches. Essex had nine, including Clacton.
Scroll down to see the full county-by-county list.
The best and worst counties
More than 80 per cent of the beaches surveyed in Dorset, Devon and Cornwall got the top rating of three stars. But they are pipped to the top prize by Northumberland, where 92 per cent are rated 'excellent'.
Fewer than half of Sussex's beaches made the grade, a blow for traditional resorts like Bexhill, Goring Beach and Worthing – which all received one-star.
Most disheartening were the counties that abut the Irish Sea. In Merseyside, Cumbria and Lancashire, fewer than one in three beaches got three stars, with Lancashire having none in this category. Merseyside fared only slightly better, but did have two three-star beaches, at Formby and Moreton.
Somerset also performed poorly, with only a single three-star beach (Porlock Weir).
Northumberland: 92 per cent of beaches rated 'excellent'
Dorset: 87 per cent
Devon: 86 per cent
Cornwall: 82 per cent
Lincolnshire: 78 per cent
Hampshire and New Forest: 73 per cent
Isle of Wight: 73 per cent
Norfolk: 69 per cent
Suffolk: 67 per cent
Yorkshire: 52 per cent
Essex: 50 per cent
Tyne and Wear: 50 per cent
Sussex: 47 per cent
Kent: 42 per cent
County Durham: 33 per cent
Merseyside: 29 per cent
Cumbria: 25 per cent
Somerset: 10 per cent
Lancashire 0 per cent
The dirtiest 'Brown Flag' beaches
Twenty-five beaches in England are best left to photographers, walkers and sunset-hunters. Famous strands like St Annes North, Bridlington, Scarborough and Southsea all boasted worrisome amounts of E.coli and IE.
The EA data allows prospective visitors – and campaigners – to drill down to see how many pollutants were caught in the samples. You just have to click on the location on the map.
St Annes North, to take an example, received a single star in 2021 and 2022, but was deemed 'poor' for 2023 and 2024. The EA notes that the area 'has mixed use with the land immediately behind the beach being predominantly urban and becoming more agricultural further inland', and that the River Ribble 'discharges to the sea approximately five kilometres south of the bathing water'.
In short, keep your body, and your kids, out of the sea at St Annes North – and all the following sections of the English coast:
Porthluney – Cornwall
Coastguards Beach, Erme Estuary – Devon
Ilfracombe Wildersmouth – Devon
Instow – Devon
Lyme Regis Church Cliff Beach – Dorset
Clacton (Groyne 41) – Essex
Southsea East – Hampshire
Deal Castle – Kent
Dymchurch – Kent
Littlestone – Kent
Blackpool North – Lancashire
St Annes North – Lancashire
Heacham – Norfolk
Burnham Jetty North – Somerset
Weston Main – Somerset
Weston Super Mare Sand Bay – Somerset
Weston Super Mare Uphill Slipway – Somerset
Dunster Beach – Somerset
Blue Anchor West – Somerset
Bognor Regis, Aldwick – Sussex
Worthing Beach House – Sussex
Tynemouth Cullercoats – Tyne and Wear
Littlehaven Beach – Tyne and Wear
Scarborough South Bay – North Yorkshire
Bridlington South Beach – East Riding of Yorkshire
To check bathing water quality at a location near you, visit the Swimfo website.
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