2024 Bathing Water Profile for Bowleaze Cove
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Bowleaze Cove is just east Weymouth on the Dorset coast. It is a sand and pebble beach resort, approximately one kilometre wide, backed by cliffs. The River Jordan flows across the beach to the sea.
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Dorset
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Dorset
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We are investigating the cause of deterioration in the water quality and any potential sources of pollution. A walkover of the beach and River Jordan was carried out in 2021. This identified several potential sources of pollution that will require further investigation. We have used DNA analysis of samples taken from both the River Jordan and Bowleaze Cove to help identify the sources of elevated results.
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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/
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Wessex Water installed a storage tank at Fisherbridge pumping station in 1999, to prevent storm spills to the River Jordan. Increased storage capacity and improved pumping capability were also added to the pumping station in early 2003.
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Surface water can flow into the River Jordan from urban areas and highway drains. This can affect river water quality, particularly after periods of rainfall.
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For the four year (2020-2023) assessment period where data is available, seaweed (macroalgae) was assessed as being sufficient to be objectionable for 13% of visits, with 83% of visits noting the presence of seaweed (macroalgae). This bathing water has a history of large amounts of seaweed (macro algae), particularly towards the end of September.
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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 8% 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.
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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, tide, 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.
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2024 Bathing Water Profile for Bowleaze Cove
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2024-09-30
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2024-05-01
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Streams and rivers are typically affected by various inputs from within the catchment including human sewage, animal slurry and runoff from roads. The River Jordan flows across the beach at Bowleaze Cove. We sample the stream throughout the bathing season.
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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 Bowleaze 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 13% of visits, with 83% of visits noting the presence of litter. Tarry residue was not noted at this site.
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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. Our officers have recently undertaken inspections of the majority of farms in the catchment and will be making follow up inspections where issues have been identified.
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The catchment surrounding Bowleaze Cove is approximately 1,100 hectares and includes the River Jordan. The Jordan is approximately four kilometres long (including tributaries) and flows west from a steep-sided valley in the Downs. The river turns south at Sutton Poyntz and flows through Preston and large caravan sites to the coast at Bowleaze Cove. Most of the channel of the Jordan has been modified. The catchment is mostly agricultural, with approximately 10 farms.
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Bowleaze Cove
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Bowleaze Cove
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Sampling point at Bowleaze Cove
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370236
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50.63618767781551
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-2.422236530165176
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81919
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Sampling point at Bowleaze Cove
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p152 dT23 h59 m59 s
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2024 05 01 t00:00:00
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2024-05-01T00:00:00
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2024 09 30 t23:59:59
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2024-09-30T23:59:59
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2024 20400:1
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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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