2019 Bathing Water Profile for Kennack Sands
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Kennack Sands is on the south coast of Cornwall. It is a rural sandy cove, approximately 250 metres wide, backed by sand dunes. A stream flows onto the beach and spreads out over the sand.
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Cornwall
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Cornwall
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For the four year (2015-2018) assessment period where data is available, seaweed (macroalgae) was assessed as being sufficient to be objectionable for 4% of visits, with 86% 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 (2015-2018) 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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2019 Bathing Water Profile for Kennack Sands
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2019-09-30
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2019-05-01
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Streams and rivers are typically affected by human sewage, animal slurry and runoff from roads. There are two streams that flow onto Kennack Sands, We have monitored the streams between 1986 and 2008, and found that water quality is temporarily worse during and after heavy rainfall.
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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 Kennack Sands for the four year (2015-2018) 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 46% of visits. Tarry residue was not noted at this site.
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There are four farms in the catchment. During and after periods of heavy rainfall, runoff to the streams 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. The Environment Agency do not believe these are a source of pollution to the bathing water. If any concerns arise, the Environment Agency will investigate and request immediate remedial action from those responsible.
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The catchment surrounding Kennack Sands is approximately 775 hectares. There are two separate streams which flow to the beach with a combined length of approximately seven kilometres. The Kuggar Stream is approximately two and a half kilometres long and enters the sea at the centre of the beach. The Kennack Stream is approximately three and a half kilometres long. It rises in the Goonhilly Downs and flows south to the sea at the north eastern end of the bathing water. This catchment slopes gently from north to south and becomes steeper at the coast. The steep slopes in the lower catchment mean rain runs off rapidly into the stream. Most of the catchment is natural heath land which forms part of the Lizard Special Area of Conservation (SAC) and Goonhilly Downs Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI). The remainder is made up of pockets of arable, improved grassland and woodland with approximately four farms and five camping and caravan sites. The catchment is in the Cornwall Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB).
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Kennack Sands
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Kennack Sands
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Sampling point at Kennack Sands
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173410
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50.0051145430488
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-5.16361764652506
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16460
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Sampling point at Kennack Sands
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p152 dT23 h59 m59 s
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2019 05 01 t00:00:00
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2019-05-01T00:00:00
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2019 09 30 t23:59:59
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2019-09-30T23:59:59
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2019 29200:1
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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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