2024 Bathing Water Profile for Lyme Regis Church Cliff Beach

http://environment.data.gov.uk/data/bathing-water-profile/ukk2205-21400/2024:1

  • bathing water description
    Lyme Regis Church Cliff Beach is a small sandy beach situated on the Dorset coast to the east of the River Lim. This bathing water was originally designated in 1988 and de-designated in 2016 due to low numbers of people bathing. In 2024 this site was re-designated.
  • controller name
    Dorset
  • county name
    Dorset
  • ea investigations statement
    The River Lim flows into the sea close to the bathing water and can impact on bathing water quality under certain conditions of tide and river flow. Investigations by the Environment Agency indicate that the levels of faecal indicator bacteria (E. coli and intestinal enterococci) in the River Lim increase as the river flows through the town. DNA analysis of water samples collected from the stream indicate that the source of this contamination is predominantly human in origin (i.e. sewage). We have identified several contaminated surface water outfalls in Lyme Regis that discharge to the River Lim. Work by South West Water to stop this contamination is ongoing.
  • eso outfalls statement
    The storm/emergency overflow from the Gun Cliff pumping station, discharges 200m west of the Environment Agency monitoring point. There are also a number of storm overflows that discharge to the River Lim. The overflows can lead to a drop in bathing water quality after heavy rainfall.
  • history statement
    In the past the bathing water was affected by untreated discharges to the River Lim and from a short untreated outfall at the Cobb. The scheme for sewage treatment at Lyme Regis was completed by South West Water in early 1995. Sewage is treated to a tertiary standard with ultraviolet (UV) disinfection at Lyme Regis (Uplyme) sewage treatment works (STW), and discharged through a 600m outfall to the sea. Extensive sewerage improvements were also carried out at that time. Several combined sewer overflows (CSO) to the River Lim were removed in 2001. Repairs to a leaking sewer manhole, adjacent to the river, were completed in 2013. Further improvements to the CSOs and sewerage infrastructure in Lyme Regis and Uplyme are in progress. The Environment Agency will make continue to recommend improvements to protect and improve the bathing water quality.
  • local authority statement
    The urban area of Lyme Regis immediately behind the beach is served by a combined (surface and sewer) system. Surface water can flow into the River Lim from urban areas, outfall pipes and highway drains. This can affect bathing water quality, particularly after periods of rainfall. The Environment Agency have regularly inspected and sampled surface water outfalls.
  • macro algae statement
    This bathing water does not have a history of large amounts of seaweed (macro algae).
  • misconnections statement
    Wrongly connected domestic waste water pipes can also affect the bathing water quality. We have checked the local sewerage system for misconnections. We are working with Dorset Council and South West Water to identify and rectify any problems. 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.
  • phytoplankton statement
    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.
  • pollution risk forecast statement
    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.
  • pollution risk forecasting
    false
  • pref label
    2024 Bathing Water Profile for Lyme Regis Church Cliff Beach
  • sampling frequency
    20
  • season finish date
    2024-09-30
  • season start date
    2024-05-01
  • streams rivers statement
    Streams and rivers are typically affected by human sewage, animal slurry and runoff from roads. The River Lim enters the sea close to the beach and can impact on bathing water quality. We monitor the River Lim throughout the bathing season.
  • stw outfalls statement
    The Lyme Regis (Uplyme) STW outfall discharges 600m from the shore of this bathing water. The discharge is disinfected and designed to protect bathing water quality.
  • version string
    1
  • visible pollution statement
    Environment Agency samplers make observations of litter present on the beach at every visit, this includes assessments of sewage debris, litter and tar.
  • working with farmers statement
    There are more than 50 farms in the catchment, most of which are dairy and beef. During and after periods of heavy rainfall, runoff to the River Lim from agricultural land is greatly increased, and the quality of the bathing water can be reduced. The Environment Agency are working with Natural England and farmers to encourage better farming practices and improve water quality in the surrounding areas.
  • working with industry statement
    There is some light industry within this catchment. The Environment Agency has worked with businesses on the small industrial estate at Uplyme to ensure there is no affect on the bathing water quality from this site.
  • zoi description
    Upstream of Lyme Regis the River Lim has a small rural catchment. Land use is predominantly agricultural.
  • bathing water

    Lyme Regis Church Cliff Beach

  • local authority
    Dorset
  • season interval

    p152 dT23 h59 m59 s

  • source
    row=0247
  • standard language collection

    2024 21400:1

    • algae general statement
      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.
    • eso outfalls general statement
      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.
    • local authority general statement
      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.
    • pollution management general statement
      It is the Environment Agency role to drive improvement of water quality at bathing waters that are at risk of failing European 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.
    • stw outfalls general statement
      Discharges from sewage treatment works have improved substantially in England since the 1980s.
  • web res image
    ukk2205 21400 1 webres.jpg

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