This bathing water beach often has patches of seaweed (macroalgae) and the bathing water can be affected by occasional blooms of phytoplankton (microscopic algae) which are not harmful, but can result in the water appearing discoloured or as foam forming on the water.
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.
Bathing water quality can be affected by the Madeira Road storm overflow at the north end of the beach which discharges when heavy rainfall overwhelms the sewerage system. Two surface water outfalls discharge to this beach but are not known to affect bathing water compliance.