Lulworth Cove is on the Dorset coast, and is part of the Purbeck Heritage Coast. It is a sand and pebble resort bay, approximately 800 metres wide, backed by cliffs.
There are emergency/storm overflows from the West Lulworth Beach and West Lulworth Hanbury Farm pumping stations. The discharge is to the sea west of Lulworth Cove. The operation of the overflow can lead to a drop in bathing water quality.
The Wessex Water sewage treatment scheme for Lulworth was partially completed in 1995. The scheme included a fine screening plant at Lulworth sewage treatment works (STW), and resewerage work to reduce overflows to the stream. An enhanced STW scheme was completed in early 2005. Sewage from Lulworth STW is now pumped to Wool STW, which provides secondary treatment and phosphorus removal.
For the four year (2020-2023) assessment period where data is available, seaweed (macroalgae) was assessed as being sufficient to be objectionable for 5% of visits, with 89% of visits noting the presence of seaweed (macroalgae). 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 5% 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.
This bathing water is subject to short term pollution procedures. The Environment Agency makes a daily pollution risk forecast at this site based on the effects of rain, wind and seasonality on bathing water quality. These factors affect the levels of bacteria that get washed into the sea from livestock, sewage and urban drainage via rivers and streams and how they disperse.
When these factors combine to make short term pollution likely we issue a pollution risk warning on this website and the beach manager will display a sign advising against bathing at the bathing water. After a short term pollution event, levels of bacteria typically return to normal after a day or so but it’s possible to have several warning days in a row. Details of the work to reduce the sources of bacteria at this bathing water are detailed in this profile.
In 2023 7 pollution risk warnings were issued for this bathing water.
All bathing waters have the potential to be affected by a pollution incident and if this occurs a pollution risk warning will be issued with associated advice against bathing on this website.
The Lulworth Stream flows across the beach at this bathing water. The Environment Agency have monitored the stream most years since 1994 however this monitoring has now stopped. Bathing water quality can be worse during or after heavy rainfall.
Environment Agency samplers make observations of litter present on the beach at every visit, this includes assessments of sewage debris, litter and tar. At Lulworth Cove 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 5% of visits, with 81% of visits noting the presence of litter. Tarry residue was not noted at this site.
During and after periods of heavy rainfall, runoff from agricultural areas is greatly increased, and the quality of the bathing water may be adversely affected.
The catchment surrounding Lulworth Cove is approximately 410 hectares. The Lulworth stream is approximately one and a half kilometres long and flows through West Lulworth village and onto the beach. The catchment is mostly agricultural with just one or two farms.
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.