2024 Bathing Water Profile for Minnis Bay, Birchington
-
The bathing water is situated on the north Kent coast adjacent to the village of Birchington. It is a gently shelving sandy beach with some rocks and shingle exposed at low water. A promenade sits above the beach with grassed areas behind and a tidal pool at the eastern end. The sea reaches the promenade on most high tides.
-
Thanet District
-
Kent
-
Prior to 2007, treated sewage was discharged from Margate long sea outfall 11 km from the bathing water. Since 2007, flows from Margate long sea outfall, together with flows from Broadstairs long sea outfall, have been transferred to Weatherlees sewage treatment works for further treatment and UV disinfection. The treated sewage is then discharged out of Margate long sea outfall.
-
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 77% of visits noting the presence of seaweed (macroalgae). 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 (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 4% 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.
-
There are no active pollution risk forecasts made at this bathing water. However any bathing water has the potential to be affected by a pollution incident and if this occurs a pollution risk warning with associated advice against bathing will be issued on this website.
-
2024 Bathing Water Profile for Minnis Bay, Birchington
-
2024-09-30
-
2024-05-01
-
To the west of the bathing water there are low-lying marshes at approximately sea level protected by a sea wall. There are three outfalls that drain small streams into the sea controlled by sluice gates. The closest outfall drain is over 1.5km from the EC bathing water sampling point. This is unlikely to affect water quality at the bathing water.
-
There is a treated sewage treatment works discharge 11 km from the shore of this bathing water which is designed to protect bathing water quality.
-
Environment Agency samplers make observations of litter present on the beach at every visit, this includes assessments of sewage debris, litter and tar. At Minnis Bay, Birchington for the four year (2020-2023) 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 35% of visits. Tarry residue was not noted at this site.
-
The bathing water is situated in a low lying area. The natural drainage (hydrological) catchment surrounding the bathing water is approximately 360 hectares. This comprises the local urban area and some of the wider surrounding area which is predominantly rural (arable).
-
Minnis Bay, Birchington
-
Minnis Bay, Birchington
-
Sampling point at Minnis Bay, Birchington
-
628600
-
51.38029832223167
-
1.283684806754969
-
169700
-
Sampling point at Minnis Bay, Birchington
-
-
-
p152 dT23 h59 m59 s
-
2024 05 01 t00:00:00
-
2024-05-01T00:00:00
-
-
2024 09 30 t23:59:59
-
2024-09-30T23:59:59
-
-
-
2024 12300:1
-
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.
-
