2024 Bathing Water Profile for Clacton Beach Martello Tower
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Clacton is a busy seaside resort. Clacton Martello tower beach is wide, sandy and gently shelving, and backed by the promenade.
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Tendring
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Essex
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The Environment Agency has worked closely with the water companies, local authorities and others to investigate any sources of contamination and to improve water quality. This has included investigations into reduced water quality and the identification of sewerage infrastructure improvements. A scheme has been included in Anglian Waters's investment programme to better understand the impact of the nearby surface water sewers on bathing water quality and is due for completion by March 2022.
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Recently improvements have been made to storm overflows at from West Road pumping station. Pumps have been upgraded, the capacity of the rising main has been increased and further improvements are being considered. This may involve increasing storage at West Road Pumping station and Jaywick Sewage Treatment Works. 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 the outfall off Jaywick. Most of the storm overflows have also been eliminated. This has resulted in a significant improvement in water quality under normal conditions. Between 1988 and 2000 the town's sewage infrastructure was significantly upgraded as was the treatment works at both Holland-on-Sea and Jaywick. There were a number of storm overflows that operated via short sea outfalls along the coast. A large tunnel was constructed under the promenade between Clacton Pier and Holland Sewage Treatment Works. Most of the storm overflows on the sewer network now are directed to the tunnel rather than to the sea. Examination of the surface water sewerage system have identified a number of issues that need examining in more detail. A scheme is to be delivered by Anglian Water by March 2022 which will look at options to remedy any misconnections and protect the bathing water.
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For the four year (2020-2023) assessment period where data is available, seaweed (macroalgae) was assessed as being sufficient to be objectionable for 3% of visits, with 85% 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. Following the deterioration in water quality during the 2015 bathing season investigations were undertaken on the surface water sewer system serving south east Clacton. A significant misconnection was identified and eliminated which is likely to be the reason for the improvement in quality in 2016. Investigations continue as there is evidence of further problems and consideration is being given to the best way to fix them.
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For the four year (2020-2023) 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 2% 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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This bathing water is subject to short term pollution procedures. The Environment Agency makes a daily pollution risk forecast at this site based on the effects of rain, tide, wind and seasonality on bathing water quality. These factors affect the levels of bacteria that get washed into the sea from livestock, sewage and urban drainage via rivers and streams and how they disperse. When these factors combine to make short term pollution likely we issue a pollution risk warning on this website and the beach manager will display a sign advising against bathing at the bathing water. After a short term pollution event, levels of bacteria typically return to normal after a day or so but it’s possible to have several warning days in a row. Details of the work to reduce the sources of bacteria at this bathing water are detailed in this profile. In 2023 8 pollution risk warnings were issued for this bathing water. All bathing waters have the potential to be affected by a pollution incident and if this occurs a pollution risk warning will be issued with associated advice against bathing on this website.
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2024 Bathing Water Profile for Clacton Beach Martello Tower
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2024-09-30
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2024-05-01
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There are no local streams or rivers that are likely to affect bathing water quality.
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The Sewage Treatment Works serving the Clacton area discharge a considerable distance from the beach and do not affect bathing water compliance.
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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 Beach Martello Tower for the four year (2020-2023) assessment period where data is available, sewage debris was not noted at this site. Litter was assessed as being sufficient to be objectionable for 3% of visits, with 75% 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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There are no rivers or other freshwater inputs close to the beach. The beach is close to urban areas. The beach has largely been created by the installation of the fish tailed groynes to protect the shoreline.
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Clacton Beach Martello Tower
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Clacton Beach Martello Tower
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Sampling point at Clacton Beach Martello Tower
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616700
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51.77999691152549
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1.140095257455826
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213700
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Sampling point at Clacton Beach Martello Tower
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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 11650:1
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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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