2024 Bathing Water Profile for Praa Sands West
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Praa Sands is on the south coast of Cornwall. It is a sandy beach resort, approximately 1.3 kilometres wide, backed by sand dunes. The western end of the beach is less rocky and the Germoe Stream flows across the beach to the sea.
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Cornwall
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Cornwall
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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 4% of visits, with 78% 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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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.
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2024 Bathing Water Profile for Praa Sands West
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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. The Germoe Stream flows onto this beach. The Environment Agency have monitored the stream 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 Praa Sands West for the four year (2020-2023) assessment period where data is available, sewage debris was not assessed as being sufficient to be objectionable, but was observed as being present on 4% of visits. Litter was not assessed as being sufficient to be objectionable, but was observed as being present on 33% of visits. Tarry residue was not noted at this site.
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There are five farms in the catchment. During and after periods of heavy rainfall, runoff to the Germoe Stream from agricultural areas is greatly increased, and the quality of the bathing water may be reduced.
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There are caravan parks, homes, and hotels that have private sewage treatment arrangements. There is no mains sewerage in the village but the discharge from the largest caravan park is now disinfected. 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 Praa Sands West is approximately 295 hectares. The Germoe Stream is approximately one kilometre and flows south to the beach from the village of Germoe just south of the A394. The steep catchment means rain runs off rapidly into the stream. Land use is agricultural with five farms, and there is a large amount of arable land. The catchment includes the settlements of Germoe and Praa Sands, and there are also at least three caravan sites close to the coast. The catchment is in the Cornwall Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB).
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Praa Sands West
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Praa Sands West
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Sampling point at Praa Sands West
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157620
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50.10322853083056
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-5.390937537533112
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28080
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Sampling point at Praa Sands West
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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 30000:1
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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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