2022 Bathing Water Profile for Walpole Bay, Margate
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The bathing water is a resort beach on the north Kent coast near to Margate. It is a gently shelving sandy beach with a lido at the western end and tidal pool at the eastern end. There are extensive underwater rock formations just offshore along the length of the beach which are exposed at low water. These formations are part of a Site of Special Scientific Interest and are great for rock pooling. A promenade sits above the beach with small cliffs behind.
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Thanet
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Kent
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Investigations were completed to identify potential sources of pollution at the bathing water. A partnership group was created and includes the Environment Agency, Thanet District Council & Southern Water Services. The group meet regularly to investigate ways to improve the bathing water, and explore alternative options such as beach management.
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There are storm overflows over 1.5 km to the west of the bathing water. Discharges from these storm overflows occur when heavy rainfall overwhelms the sewerage system but the overflows are designed to ensure that bathing water is protected.
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Prior to 2007, treated sewage was discharged from Margate long sea outfall 3 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 UV disinfection. The treatment is designed to protect bathing water quality. The treated sewage is then discharged out of Margate long sea outfall. In 2012 and 2013, major improvements were undertaken at Margate wastewater pumping station (Margate Headworks) to increase the reliability of the asset and reduce the frequency of storm overflows. Under the programme of works for Southern Water (from 2020 to 2025) investigations within the catchment will be carried out. This will help to identify where further bathing water improvements may be needed in the future.
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A partnership group between the Environment Agency, Thanet District Council & Southern Water has been formed. The aim of the partnership is to work together to better understand risks to bathing water quality and put measures in place to make improvements.
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For the four year (2018-2021) assessment period where data is available, seaweed (macroalgae) was assessed as being sufficient to be objectionable for 27% of visits, with 73% of visits noting the presence of seaweed (macroalgae). Environment Agency research suggests this bathing water has a history of large amounts of seaweed (macro algae). 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 (2018-2021) 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 8% 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.
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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.
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2022 Bathing Water Profile for Walpole Bay, Margate
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2022-09-30
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2022-05-01
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There is a treated sewage treatment works discharge 3 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 Walpole Bay, Margate for the four year (2018-2021) 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 60% 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 75 hectares and comprises just the local urban area.
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Walpole Bay, Margate
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Walpole Bay, Margate
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Sampling point at Walpole Bay, Margate
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636570
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51.392250950887004
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1.399130061418621
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171395
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Sampling point at Walpole Bay, Margate
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p152 dT23 h59 m59 s
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2022 05 01 t00:00:00
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2022-05-01T00:00:00
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2022 09 30 t23:59:59
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2022-09-30T23:59:59
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2022 12630:1
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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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