2024 Bathing Water Profile for Mother Ivey`s Bay
-
Mother Ivey's Bay is on the north coast of Cornwall. It is a rural sandy beach, approximately 480 metres wide, backed by cliffs. Access to the beach is via the coast path.
-
Cornwall
-
Cornwall
-
There is a storm overflow from St Merryn that discharges to the sea approximately 450m to the east of this bathing water. The operation of the overflow can lead to a temporary drop in bathing water quality.
-
The South West Water sewage treatment scheme known as the Trevone Scheme collects sewage from the various settlements around the Camel Estuary. It is split into two schemes centred on the Porthilly sewage treatment works (STW) (East Bank Scheme), and a works at Trecerus near Padstow (West Bank Scheme). Trecerus STW was completed for the 1997 bathing season with chemically assisted sedimentation and ultraviolet (UV) disinfection for sewage from St Merryn, Trevone and Padstow. Improvements were also made to the sewerage in Padstow, St Merryn, Harlyn and Trevone at that time. The treatment was subsequently upgraded to full secondary treatment and UV disinfection by April 2004. Storm overflow event duration monitoring (EDM) was installed at St Merryn by October 2012.
-
For the three year (2021-2023) assessment period where data is available, seaweed (macroalgae) was assessed as being sufficient to be objectionable for 4% of visits, with 68% 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 three year (2021-2023) 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 Mother Ivey`s Bay
-
2024-09-30
-
2024-05-01
-
There is a tiny stream 150m long which enters the sea at eastern edge of the bathing water. The Harlyn Stream enters the sea approximately one and a half kilometres to the east of Mother Ivey's Bay and could potentially affect water quality at this bathing water.
-
The outfall from the Trecerus STW discharges to the sea approximately 450m to the east of this bathing water. This discharge is disinfected and designed to protect bathing water quality.
-
Environment Agency samplers make observations of litter present on the beach at every visit, this includes assessments of sewage debris, litter and tar. At Mother Ivey`s Bay for the three year (2021-2023) 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 20% of visits. Tarry residue was not noted at this site.
-
The catchment surrounding Mother Ivey`s Bay is approximately 30 hectares. There is a tiny stream 150m long which enters the sea at eastern edge of the beach. Most of the surface water within this small catchment drains directly to the beach as runoff. Land use is rural with one farm and one caravan site. The catchment is in the Cornwall Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB).
-
Mother Ivey`s Bay
-
Mother Ivey`s Bay
-
Sampling point at Mother Ivey`s Bay
-
186450
-
50.54412805108646
-
-5.015483516396951
-
75940
-
Sampling point at Mother Ivey`s Bay
-
-
-
p152 dT23 h59 m59 s
-
2024 05 01 t00:00:00
-
2024-05-01T00:00:00
-
-
2024 09 30 t23:59:59
-
2024-09-30T23:59:59
-
-
-
2024 32800:1
-
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.
-
