2019 Bathing Water Profile for Clacton (Groyne 41)
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Clacton (Groyne 41) bathing water is next to the pier on the central seafront of Clacton-on-Sea. It is a gently shelving sandy beach, much of which is covered at high water. It is a popular beach resort and is backed by the promenade. Behind the promenade, the town and coast road are on top of a 20-metre cliff.
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Tendring
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Essex
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This suggests the principle cause is related to sewage and while birds roosting under the pier are found to cause an impact, it is minor. Further investigations concentrated on the privately owned sewerage systems serving the promenade and pier. Investigations in 2015 included CCTV work on the nearby private & public sewers, extensive sampling of the sewerage networks and beach along with additional sampling of the sea. Nothing to identify the source of the pollution was found. An intensive water sampling programme was undertaken in August 2016. Significant levels of contamination were found near the pier especially at periods of low water. Samples of water taken from approximately 2 metres below the beach surface were also found to be contaminated. Sampling during 2017 and 2018 confirmed pockets of contaminated groundwater beneath the promenade and beach but the nature and extent remain inconclusive.
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There are three storm overflows in the vicinity of Clacton which are still in operation: Those that discharge off Gunfleet, Selsey Avenue and Wash Lane are designed to operate very rarely and so protect bathing water quality. Investigations have shown that none of the storm overflows affect bathing water compliance. This bathing water is included in the Surfers Against Sewage “Safer Seas Service”. This service can alert you to Combined Storm Sewer Overflow discharges via a phone App and in addition, it includes the Environment Agency Pollution Risk Forecast warnings where they are available. Further details of the service can be found at - http://www.sas.org.uk/safer-seas-service/
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Previously, the bathing waters on the Tendring Peninsula were heavily influenced by a number of sea outfalls. Improved treatment is now in place at the long sea outfall at Holland-on-Sea, and most of the storm overflows have been eliminated. This has resulted in a significant improvement in water quality under normal conditions. Between 1988 and 2000 large parts of the sewage infrastructure was upgraded as was the treatment works at Holland-on-Sea. There were a number of storm overflows with sea outfalls along the coast. A large tunnel was constructed under the promenade between Clacton Pier and Holland Sewage Treatment Works and most of the storm overflows were directed to this rather than the sea. In 2016 the water company undertook a significant investigation identifying pollution sources and tracing their impact along the coast. These confirmed no evidence that Anglian Water assets affected the bathing water.
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Heavy rain falling on pavements and roads drains into surface water sewers or highway drains, which then drain in local rivers or the sea. Regular inspection and sampling of outfalls over the years has showed little contamination in the surface water sewers. The local authority own short lengths of sewer in the vicinity of the promenade and inspections have shown that these are also unlikely to affect bathing water quality. Once the pigeons were identified as a likely source of the contamination the local authority agreed to carry out management of the numbers. A bird deterrent was installed above the pier in a bid to control the resident bird population. A water quality modelling study was undertaken but the results add little to the knowledge relating to the contamination.
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For the four year (2015-2018) assessment period where data is available, seaweed (macroalgae) was assessed as being sufficient to be objectionable for 2% of visits, with 90% of visits noting the presence of seaweed (macroalgae). This bathing water does not have a history of large amounts of seaweed (macro algae). However groynes and rocks, platforms or other fixed objects may develop a covering of seaweed which can be slippery.
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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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For the four year (2015-2018) assessment period where data is available, phytoplankton (microscopic algae) was not assessed as being sufficient to be objectionable, but was observed as being present on 6% of visits. Phytoplankton (microscopic algae) naturally increase in number at certain times of the year. This process is known as a phytoplankton bloom. This bathing water does not have a history of phytoplankton blooms. The risks to human health from contact, ingestion or inhalation with marine algae that currently occur in UK coastal waters are considered to be low. However, some individuals may be more sensitive and display some reactions. A common marine algae found in UK coastal waters is Phaeocystis, which is often mistaken for sewage as it forms foam and a brown scum, but it is non-toxic.
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2019 Bathing Water Profile for Clacton (Groyne 41)
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2019-09-30
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2019-05-01
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There are no stream or rivers that can impact upon this bathing water.
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There are two major Sewage Treatment Works serving the Clacton catchment; Holland Sewage Treatment Works to the north east of the town and Jaywick Sewage Treatment Works to the west. Both discharge through outfalls to the sea. Investigations are being carried out to assess their impact on the bathing water. Temporary chemical disinfection of the Clacton STW effluent was undertaken in 2011 & 2012. This had no discernible impact at the bathing beach so this source is most unlikely to be significant.
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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. At Clacton (Groyne 41) for the four year (2015-2018) assessment period where data is available, sewage debris was not noted at this site. Litter was assessed as being sufficient to be objectionable for 2% of visits, with 47% of visits noting the presence of litter. Tarry residue was not noted at this site.
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Clacton is within the Stour and Colne Catchment Sensitive Farming area. This is a partnership between Natural England and the Environment Agency. Its aim is to work with farmers to enhance farming practices and reduce run off from farmlands.
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The Environment Agency has worked with the pier owners to check the pier's drainage system and identify improvements where necessary. The pier owners have greatly assisted with resolving issues including the implementation of bird management measures.
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The Tendring Peninsula is generally flat, rising to 30 metres above sea level. The area is predominantly rural apart from the coastal resorts. Agriculture in the catchment is mixed arable and livestock and there is no heavy industry. In recent years Clacton has grown in size. There are no rivers or other freshwater inputs direct to the beach or close by. The beach is backed by urban areas of the town
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Clacton (Groyne 41)
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Clacton (Groyne 41)
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Sampling point at Clacton (Groyne 41)
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617600
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51.78503459983661
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1.153496961551652
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214300
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Sampling point at Clacton (Groyne 41)
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p152 dT23 h59 m59 s
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2019 05 01 t00:00:00
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2019-05-01T00:00:00
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2019 09 30 t23:59:59
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2019-09-30T23:59:59
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2019 11550:1
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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 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 to the sea. 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.
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Discharges from sewage treatment works have improved substantially in England since the 1980s.
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