2019 Bathing Water Profile for Leysdown
-
Leysdown is a traditional resort beach on the Isle of Sheppey. The gently sloping beach is mostly sandy, with some shell and shingle, and there is plenty of shallow water available as the tide retreats. The beach is bounded by flood defences and backed by a promenade.
-
Swale
-
Kent
-
Prior to 2001 investigations focussed on sewer leaks and also misconnections causing contamination of a surface water discharge to the bathing water. Since 2018, the Environmment Agency have been working with Southern Water Services (SWS) and Swale Borough Council (SBC) in order to identify possible sources of pollution. The Environment Agency also introduced a DNA tracing technique that helps us identify whether sources of faecal pollution are human or animal. Actions from these investigations are detailed in the paragraphs below.
-
Swalecliffe Long Sea Outfall (11 km from the bathing water) was upgraded to further treatment in 2001 and later received ultraviolet disinfection to protect shellfish water quality. Prior to 2001 Southern Water undertook repairs to sections of leaking sewers in Leysdown.
-
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 83% of visits. The bathing water 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.
-
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.
-
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 2% of visits. 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. 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.
-
This bathing water is subject to short term pollution. Short term pollution is caused when heavy rainfall or high tides wash faecal material into the sea from livestock, sewage and urban drainage via rivers and streams. At this site the risk of encountering reduced water quality increases after rainfall and typically returns to normal after 1-3 days. The Environment Agency makes daily pollution risk forecasts based on rainfall and tidal patterns and will issue a pollution risk warning if high tides or heavy rainfall occurs to enable bathers to avoid periods of increased risk. The Environment Agency works to reduce the sources of this pollution through pollution prevention measures, work with agriculture and water companies. 4 warnings advising against swimming due to an increase risk of short term pollution were issued in 2018 for Leysdown bathing water. These warnings were issued because of the effects of heavy rain on the water quality.
-
2019 Bathing Water Profile for Leysdown
-
2019-09-30
-
2019-05-01
-
There are no riverine inputs into the bathing water but there is a drainage ditch that discharge to sea 1.2 km northwest of the bathing water sampling point, and this may receive storm and emergency sewage overflows in wet weather. The mouth of the Swale (which separates the Isle of Sheppey from the mainland) is 4 km to the southeast.
-
Environment Agency samplers make observations of litter present on the beach at every visit, this includes assessments of sewage debris, litter and tar. At Leysdown 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 42% of visits. Tarry residue was not noted at this site.
-
The natural drainage (hydrological) catchment surrounding the bathing water is small at approximately 40 hectares. The catchment is predominantly urban, comprising part of the town of Leysdown.
-
Leysdown
-
Leysdown
-
Sampling point at Leysdown
-
603336
-
51.40014835227358
-
0.921827823102863
-
170841
-
Sampling point at Leysdown
-
-
-
p152 dT23 h59 m59 s
-
2019 05 01 t00:00:00
-
2019-05-01T00:00:00
-
-
2019 09 30 t23:59:59
-
2019-09-30T23:59:59
-
-
-
2019 12000:1
-
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.
-
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.
-
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.
-
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.
-
Discharges from sewage treatment works have improved substantially in England since the 1980s.
-
