2024 Bathing Water Profile for Northcott Mouth
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Northcott Mouth is on the north coast of Cornwall. It is a small rocky beach, approximately 350 metres wide, with a small stream flowing on to it. At low tide many rock pools are exposed.
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Cornwall
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Cornwall
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In 2017 - 2019 the Environment Agency carried out additional catchment monitoring of Northcott Stream alongside routine bathing water monitoring. We used a DNA tracing technique to help us identify whether sources of faecal pollution were animal or human, with surveys carried out in wet and dry weather conditions. We walked up the stream to identify potential sources of bacteria and carried out ecological assessments of water quality. Investigations indicated that bacteria in Northcott Stream can be elevated in wet weather and that this is probably mostly from agricultural runoff. A minor source of bacteria from poorly maintained septic tanks was also identified.
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In the past sewage at Bude was discharged without treatment through a short outfall off Compass Point. The South West Water sewage treatment scheme for Bude, which provides primary treatment and a one kilometre long sea outfall, was completed in 1993. The Bude sewage treatment works (STW) was upgraded with secondary treatment by the end of 2000. Improvements to the combined storm overflow (CSO) at Stratton pumping station were also completed at that time. In recent years the Environment Agency has worked extensively with South West Water to identify and rectify issues with bacterial contamination of the River Strat from degraded sewers in Bude. Storm overflow event duration monitoring (EDM) was installed at Crooklets Car Park by December 2011 and a sewage leak to Flex Brook was fixed. Storm overflow event duration monitoring (EDM) was installed at The Strand, Nanny Moores, Summerleaze Car Park, and at the Stratton and Castle pumping stations by April 2011. EDM was installed at the Barn Orchard Cottages pumping station in March 2016. EDM is to be installed at Broadclose Farm CSO by September 2021. Improvements to 7 emergency/storm overflows within the nearby Summerleaze and Crooklets bathing water catchments are due for completion by September 2022.
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For the four year (2020-2023) assessment period where data is available, seaweed (macroalgae) was not assessed as being sufficient to be objectionable, but was observed as being present on 70% of visits.
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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.
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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 Northcott Mouth
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2024-09-30
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2024-05-01
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The Northcott Stream which flows across the beach can be a source of reduced water quality after heavy rainfall.
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The outfall from Bude STW discharges into the sea off Compass Point approximately two and a half kilometres southwest of Northcott Mouth bathing water. 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 Northcott Mouth 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 3% of visits, with 34% of visits noting the presence of litter. Tarry residue was not noted at this site.
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In 2019 the Environment Agency worked with a private owner to resolve bacterial contamination of Northcott Stream from a poorly maintained septic tank. No further contamination of the stream from this source was observed.
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The catchment surrounding Northcott Mouth is approximately 450 hectares. The catchment comprises mainly of arable farmland. The Northcott Stream is approximately 3 kilometres long and flows onto the beach. Northcott Mouth lies within the Duckpool to Furzy Island Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) and Hartland Point to Tintagel Marine Conservations Zone (MCZ).
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Northcott Mouth
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Northcott Mouth
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Sampling point at Northcott Mouth
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220100
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50.847970518807266
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-4.556945819111498
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108500
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Sampling point at Northcott Mouth
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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 33650:1
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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's 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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