2024 Bathing Water Profile for Treyarnon Bay

  • Treyarnon Bay is on the north coast of Cornwall. It is a rural sheltered sandy bay approximately 200 metres wide, backed by sand dunes and cliffs. A stream flows across the beach towards the sea, spreading out over the sand at low tide. There are also rock pools to explore.
  • Cornwall
  • Cornwall
  • For the four year (2020-2023) assessment period where data is available, seaweed (macroalgae) was assessed as being sufficient to be objectionable for 7% of visits, with 79% of visits noting the presence of seaweed (macroalgae). This bathing water does not have a history of large amounts of seaweed (macro algae).
  • 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 4% 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.
  • 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.
  • 2024 Bathing Water Profile for Treyarnon Bay
  • 2024-09-30
  • 2024-05-01
  • Streams and rivers are typically affected by human sewage, animal slurry and runoff from roads. The Treyarnon Stream flows onto this beach. The Environment Agency have periodically monitored the stream and found that water quality is temporarily worse after heavy rainfall.
  • Environment Agency samplers make observations of litter present on the beach at every visit, this includes assessments of sewage debris, litter and tar. At Treyarnon Bay 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 4% of visits, with 43% of visits noting the presence of litter. Tarry residue was not noted at this site.
  • There are five farms in the Treyarnon Bay catchment. During and after periods of heavy rainfall, runoff to the Treyarnon Stream from agricultural land is greatly increased, and the quality of the bathing water can be reduced.
  • 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.
  • The catchment surrounding Treyarnon Bay is approximately 515 hectares. The Treyarnon Stream is approximately two and a half kilometres (km) long, with a 2.8km tributary joining at Trethias Farm, around 600m before the stream reaches the sea at Treyarnon Bay. This gently sloping catchment is rural, with five farms in a patchwork of improved grassland and arable land. The catchment includes some small villages and at least five caravan sites. It is partially within the Cornwall Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB).
  • Treyarnon Bay

  • 2024 32600:1

    • 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.
    • 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.
    • 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.
    • 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.
    • Discharges from sewage treatment works have improved substantially in England since the 1980s.

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