2024 Bathing Water Profile for River Severn in Shrewsbury
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The River Severn flows through Shrewsbury on its way south towards the Bristol Channel. The bathing water is located on a stretch of the river close to the centre of the town. The bathing site entry location is located on the northern bank via the canoe launch ramp, next to the Frankwell Riverside car park, just upstream of Frankwell Footbridge. The bathing site is easily accessible from the main road by foot or bicycle. The bathing site stretches to the boat entry/exit ramp. The bathing water sampling site next to the bathing entry site, from a nearby fishing pontoon.
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Shropshire
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Shropshire
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The Environment Agency works with the water companies, local authorities and others to investigate any sources of contamination and to improve water quality at local bathing waters. The Environment Agency do this by monitoring the river quality and visiting sites where the Environment Agency give advice on compliance with regulations and good practice as appropriate. The Environment Agency have a duty to undertake water quality monitoring for the bathing water.
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There are a number of permitted storm overflows that discharge into the River Severn upstream of Shrewsbury. In the 1km section upstream of the designated bathing water, there are several a Combined Sewer Overflows (Castle Foregate Street, Coton Hill, Coton Hill 2, 58 Coton Hill, 75 Coton Hill, Gravel Hill Lane – The Flash) and a Sewage Pumping Station (Hatfield Pumping Station). When these outfalls are operating, they discharge diluted effluent into the river which may result in reduced bathing water quality.
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The Environment Agency works closely with Severn Trent Water to identify and deliver significant investment in sewerage infrastructure. Storm overflow event duration monitoring (EDM) has been installed at all storm overflows across the Severn Trent Water Network, and all data is publicly available. Severn Trent Water, the Local Authority and the Environment Agency will work together to investigate, and plan investment for required improvements to water quality at the bathing water.
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Modern sewerage systems have two separate systems, one takes foul sewage to sewage treatment, the other takes rainwater runoff through surface water drains to rivers, lakes and the sea. Misconnections occur when waste water pipes are plumbed into surface water drains instead of the foul water sewerage system. This can give rise to pollution when the waste water is discharged directly to the environment through the surface water drain. For example, a washing machine or toilet may be incorrectly plumbed so that it discharges to the surface drain rather than the foul sewage drain.
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Phytoplankton (microscopic algae) increase in number at certain times of the year. This process is known as a phytoplankton bloom. Blooms of phytoplankton can result in the water appearing discoloured or a foam forming on the water. If a bloom of blue-green algae is visible you are advised not to enter the water and to contact the bathing water operator.
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There are no active pollution risk forecasts made at this bathing water. However any bathing water has the potential to be affected by a pollution incident and if this occurs a pollution risk warning with associated advice against bathing will be issued on this website.
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2024 Bathing Water Profile for River Severn in Shrewsbury
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2024-09-30
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2024-05-01
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There is a large catchment area above the River Severn at Shrewsbury, which includes rivers and streams that will receive runoff from both urban and rural areas. The impact of these is currently unknown, and further investigations will be required. The Environment Agency works to improve water quality in rivers and reduce potential sources of pollution. Diffuse runoff from agriculture and settlements upstream of the bathing water will also affect the bacteriological quality of the River Severn. Freshwater ecological and physio-chemical monitoring has been completed in this river since 1990 and shows a long-term trend of improving river quality.
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The closest sewage company discharge to the River Severn at Shrewsbury is: Bomere Heath STW, which is 11.5 km upstream. This has a final treated effluent and storm/emergency outfall. There are several other water discharges upstream of the River Severn at Shrewsbury. Further investigation is required to understand the impact of these discharges on the bathing water. Shrewsbury-Monkmoor STW discharges approximately 8.5 km downstream of the bathing water area.
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Environment Agency samplers make observations of litter present on the beach at every visit, this includes assessments of sewage debris, litter and tar.
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Part of the Environment Agency’s role is to work with farmers to reduce the effects of farming on water quality. The Environment Agency provide advice to farmers on how to comply with regulations and good practice on farms to ensure that pollution entering watercourses is minimised. The River Severn catchment, upstream of Shrewsbury, is largely agricultural, with a combination of arable or livestock farming. During and after periods of heavy rainfall, runoff from agricultural areas will be greatly increased and this may adversely affect the quality of the bathing water.
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The Environment Agency works with industry and local businesses to provide advice and guidance on best practice.
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There are a number of private sewage treatment plants within the catchment and the Environment Agency works with the owners to ensure that these are adequately maintained and do not impact on the water quality of the streams they discharge to.
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The River Severn originates from the Welsh uplands and flows through the heart of England to the Severn Estuary, covering over 21,000 km². While the landscape is predominantly rural, it flows through towns including, Welshpool, Shrewsbury, Ironbridge and Worcester on its journey to the Bristol Channel. The Severn is celebrated for its diverse wildlife and habitats, supporting species of global and national importance. The river's tributaries, including the Teme, Avon, and Wye, contribute to its rich ecology and scenic beauty. Agriculture and population pressures, along with physical modifications, have historically impacted the river's ecology. Recreational activities such as boating, rowing, and canoeing are prominent, particularly around urban stretches.
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River Severn in Shrewsbury
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River Severn in Shrewsbury
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Sampling point at River Severn in Shrewsbury
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349167
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52.71161
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-2.75387
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312926
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Sampling point at River Severn in Shrewsbury
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p152 dT23 h59 m59 s
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2024 05 01 t00:00:00
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2024-05-01T00:00:00
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2024 09 30 t23:59:59
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2024-09-30T23:59:59
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2024 36071:1
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Seaweed (macroalgae) and phytoplankton (microscopic algae) are a natural part of the marine and freshwater environment. Below we note whether these have been recorded in quantities sufficient to be a nuisance.
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The majority of sewers in England are “combined sewers” and carry both sewage and surface water from roofs and drains. A storm overflow operates during heavy rainfall when the sewerage system becomes overwhelmed by the amount of surface water. The overflow prevents sewage from backing up pipes and flooding properties and gardens. An emergency overflow will only operate infrequently, for example due to pump failure or blockage in the sewerage system.
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Heavy rain falling on pavements and roads often flows into surface water drains or highway drains, ending up in local rivers and ultimately the sea. The quality of bathing water may be adversely affected as a result of such events.
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It is the Environment Agency's role to drive improvement of water quality at bathing waters that are at risk of failing higher standards. It is natural for water to run off the land into rivers. Water quality at a bathing water is dependent upon the type and area of land (the catchment) draining to the water and the activities undertaken in that catchment. There are no active pollution risk forecasts made at this bathing water. However, any bathing water has the potential to be affected by a pollution incident and if this occurs a pollution risk warning with associated advice against bathing will be issued on this website.
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Discharges from sewage treatment works have improved substantially in England since the 1980s.
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