2024 Bathing Water Profile for Bournemouth Hengistbury West
-
Bournemouth Hengitsbury West forms part of the 15 kilometre coastline of Poole Bay on the Dorset coast. It is a shingle and pebble beach, approximately one kilometre wide, and is part of the west side of the Hengitsbury Headland.
-
Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole
-
Dorset
-
There is an emergency/storm overflow from the Hengisbury Head pumping station, that discharges to the sea 480m from the Environment Agency monitoring point. The operation of the overflow can lead to a drop in bathing water quality. This bathing water is included in the Surfers Against Sewage “Safer Seas Service”. This service can alert you to Combined Storm Sewer Overflow discharges via a phone App and in addition, it includes the Environment Agency Pollution Risk Forecast warnings where they are available. Further details of the service can be found at - http://www.sas.org.uk/safer-seas-service/
-
In the past the main water company assets affecting this bathing water were from four storm overflows from the tunnel sewer along Bournemouth seafront. These overflows were Hengistbury Head, Bournemouth No 1, Boscombe Pier and Fisherman's Walk. Improvements were made to Fisherman's Walk by Wessex Water in 1993. Hengistbury Head pumping station (PS) and combined sewer overflow (CSO), and Boscombe Pier CSO were improved in early 1999. Bournemouth No.1 PS and CSO were improved in June 1999. Improvements to the treatment capacity and storm storage at Holdenhurst Sewage Treatment Works (STW) were completed in 1994. Ultraviolet (UV) disinfection and additional storm storage was installed at Holdenhurst STW by April 2001.
-
For the four year (2020-2023) assessment period where data is available, seaweed (macroalgae) was not assessed as being sufficient to be objectionable, but was observed as being present on 82% of visits. This bathing water does not have a history of large amounts of seaweed (macro algae).
-
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) naturally increase in number at certain times of the year. This process is known as a phytoplankton bloom. This bathing water does not have a history of phytoplankton blooms. 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 Bournemouth Hengistbury West
-
2024-09-30
-
2024-05-01
-
Sewage from the Bournemouth area is pumped to Holdenhurst (Bournemouth) STW. The outfall from Holdenhurst STW discharges to the River Stour, north of Bournemouth. This discharge is disinfected and 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 Bournemouth Hengistbury West for the four year (2020-2023) assessment period where data is available, sewage debris was not noted at this site. Litter was assessed as being sufficient to be objectionable for 4% of visits, with 68% of visits noting the presence of litter. Tarry residue was not noted at this site.
-
The catchment surrounding Bournemouth Hengistbury West is approximately 35 hectares. The land is flat and there are no streams which drain directly to the beach. The area is designated as a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI)
-
Bournemouth Hengistbury West
-
Bournemouth Hengistbury West
-
Sampling point at Bournemouth Hengistbury West
-
416257
-
50.716827933587915
-
-1.771081738193689
-
90826
-
Sampling point at Bournemouth Hengistbury West
-
-
-
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 19000:1
-
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.
-
