2019 Bathing Water Profile for Middleton-on-sea
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The bathing water is on the south coast in West Sussex, adjacent to the village of Middleton-on-Sea. The upper beach, protected by wooden breakwaters, is predominantly shingle, interspersed with significant amounts of vegetation. Large expanses of sand are exposed at low tide. There are several large, rocky sea defences situated about 100m off the shore.
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Arun
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West Sussex
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Within the vicinity of the beach there is one surface water outfalls. Reduced water quality may persist in the area adjacent to the outfalls for some time after rainfall has occurred.
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Prior to 2001, treated sewage was discharged from both Bognor long sea outfall (8 km from the bathing water) and Littlehampton Long Sea Outfall (6.8 km from the bathing water). In 2001, flows from Bognor and Littlehampton sewage works were diverted to a new sewage treatment works at Ford for further treatment and then discharged out of Littlehampton Long Sea Outfall. The Bognor outfall was retained solely for storm discharges.
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For the four year (2015-2018) assessment period where data is available, seaweed (macroalgae) was not assessed as being sufficient to be objectionable, but was observed as being present on 36% of visits. The shore can become covered with seaweed, depending on tides and the weather. Groynes, rocks and other fixed objects may have 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 noted at this site. 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 Middleton-on-sea
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2019-09-30
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2019-05-01
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The Elmer Rife inputs into the east of the bathing water. Water quality is likely to be reduced in the adjacent area where the Rife enters the sea.
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There is a high standard of treatment at the sewage treatment works discharge 6.8 km from the shore of this bathing water which is designed to protect bathing water quality.
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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 Middleton-on-sea for the four year (2015-2018) assessment period where data is available, sewage debris was not noted at this site. Litter was not assessed as being sufficient to be objectionable, but was observed as being present on 11% of visits. Tarry residue was not noted at this site.
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The bathing water is situated in a low lying area. The natural drainage (hydrological) catchment surrounding the bathing water is approximately 300 hectares. This includes the catchment of the Elmer Rife that drains just to the east of the bathing water. The area immediately behind the bathing water is urban but most of the wider surrounding area which is predominantly rural (arable and managed grassland).
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middleton on sea
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Middleton-on-sea
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Sampling point at Middleton-on-sea
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498500
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50.79030021449079
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-0.60390668831765
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99900
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Sampling point at Middleton-on-sea
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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 15600:1
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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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