2024 Bathing Water Profile for Porthcurnick
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Porthcurnick is on the south coast of Cornwall. It is a remote sandy beach, approximately 210 metres wide, backed by cliffs and accessed by a footpath. A stream flows across the beach to the sea.
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Cornwall
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Cornwall
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There is an emergency overflow from the Portscatho STW pumping station that discharges into the sea approximately 660m south of the bathing water. The operation of the overflow can lead to a temporary drop in bathing water quality.
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The sewage treatment scheme for Portscatho which provides secondary treatment, was completed by South West Water in late 2005. Improvements to the Portscatho pumping station were also carried out at that time.
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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 6% of visits, with 72% of visits noting the presence of seaweed (macroalgae). This bathing water does not have a history of large amounts of seaweed (macro algae).
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For the four year (2020-2023) assessment period where data is available, phytoplankton (microscopic algae) was not noted at this site. 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 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 2 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 Porthcurnick
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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 human sewage, animal slurry and runoff from roads. There is a small stream which flows onto this beach. The Environment Agency have found that water quality is temporarily worse during and after heavy rainfall.
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The outfall from Portscatho sewage treatment works (STW) discharges to the sea 780m south of the beach at Pencabe Point. This discharge 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 Porthcurnick for the four year (2020-2023) 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 31% of visits. Tarry residue was not noted at this site.
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There are three farms in the catchment. During and after periods of heavy rainfall, runoff from agricultural land is greatly increased, and the quality of the bathing water can be reduced.
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There are caravan parks and hotels that are not on the main sewerage system and have private sewage treatment arrangements. These do not affect bathing water quality. If any concerns arise, the Environment Agency will investigate and request immediate remedial action from those responsible.
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The catchment surrounding Porthcurnick is approximately 80 hectares. The stream discharging to the beach is approximately one and a half kilometres long and flows south from Trewithian. The upper catchment is fairly flat above the A3078 and gently slopes to the sea. Land use is mostly improved grassland and arable, with three farms. The catchment is in the Cornwall Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB).
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Porthcurnick
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Porthcurnick
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Sampling point at Porthcurnick
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187900
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50.18612904255592
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-4.972549323471114
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36020
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Sampling point at Porthcurnick
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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 28550:1
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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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