2024 Bathing Water Profile for Porthkidney Sands

http://environment.data.gov.uk/data/bathing-water-profile/ukk3105-31200/2024:1

  • bathing water description
    Porthkidney Sands is on the north coast of Cornwall. Porthkidney Sands is a large sandy remote beach, approximately 1.3 kilometres wide, backed by sand dunes and cliffs.
  • controller name
    Cornwall
  • county name
    Cornwall
  • eso outfalls statement
    This bathing water is included in the Surfers Against Sewage “Safer Seas Service”. This service can alert you to Combined Storm Sewer Overflow discharges via a phone App and in addition, it includes the Environment Agency Pollution Risk Forecast warnings where they are available. Further details of the service can be found at - http://www.sas.org.uk/safer-seas-service/
  • history statement
    The sewage treatment scheme for Penzance and St Ives was completed by South West Water in early 1995. The scheme included extensive sewerage, improvements to intermittent discharges and the removal of untreated sewage discharges. Wastewater from St Ives is pumped to Hayle sewage treatment works (STW), where it receives secondary treatment before its discharge through a 2.7km long sea outfall west of Godrevy Head. The Hayle STW was enlarged and upgraded in 1995 and again in 2000. Storm overflow event duration monitoring (EDM) was installed at the Porthgwidden pumping station and at five intermittent discharges to the Hayle estuary by December 2011.
  • macro algae statement
    For the three year (2021-2023) assessment period where data is available, seaweed (macroalgae) was assessed as being sufficient to be objectionable for 12% 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).
  • phytoplankton statement
    For the three year (2021-2023) 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.
  • pollution risk forecast statement
    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.
  • pollution risk forecasting
    false
  • pref label
    2024 Bathing Water Profile for Porthkidney Sands
  • sampling frequency
    20
  • season finish date
    2024-09-30
  • season start date
    2024-05-01
  • streams rivers statement
    Streams and rivers are typically affected by human sewage, animal slurry and runoff from roads. There are no streams directly affecting this bathing water but it is immediately next to the Hayle Estuary which can affect water quality during and after heavy rainfall.
  • stw outfalls statement
    Sewage from the Carbis Bay area is pumped to Hayle STW for treatment, and discharges to the sea four and a half kilometres from the bathing water. This discharge is designed to protect bathing water quality.
  • version string
    1
  • visible pollution statement
    Environment Agency samplers make observations of litter present on the beach at every visit, this includes assessments of sewage debris, litter and tar. At Porthkidney Sands for the three year (2021-2023) 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 52% of visits noting the presence of litter. Tarry residue was not noted at this site.
  • working with farmers statement
    There are farms in the catchment, most of which are dairy and arable. During and after periods of heavy rainfall, runoff from agricultural areas is greatly increased, and the quality of the bathing water may be reduced.
  • working with private owners statement
    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.
  • zoi description
    The catchment surrounding Porthkidney Sands is approximately 9,750 hectares. The bathing water is at the mouth of the Hayle Estuary. The River Hayle is approximately 19km long rising southwest of Crowan village. It flows west for approximately eight kilometres and through a steep wooded valley north of the granite high ground at Trescowe Common, formerly a mining area. The river turns north near the hamlet of Relubbus, and flows nine and a half kilometres passing St Erth before reaching the Hayle Estuary. Tributaries to the Hayle Estuary include the Nance Stream, the St Erth Stream and the Angarrack Stream, which extend the main river network in the catchment to approximately 42km. The Hayle Estuary encompasses a disused port on the east bank and a substantial area of salt marsh named Lelant Saltings to the west. This is an important habitat for birds and the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds runs a nature reserve there. Much of the estuary is designated as a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI), including the area directly surrounding the bathing water. Land use is mostly arable with improved grassland concentrated in the southeast of the catchment. There is a significant amount of urban area concentrated at the coast including Hayle, Lelant and Connor Downs.
  • bathing water

    Porthkidney Sands

  • local authority
    Cornwall
  • season interval

    p152 dT23 h59 m59 s

  • source
    row=0354
  • standard language collection

    2024 31200:1

    • algae general statement
      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.
    • eso outfalls general statement
      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.
    • local authority general statement
      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.
    • pollution management general statement
      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.
    • stw outfalls general statement
      Discharges from sewage treatment works have improved substantially in England since the 1980s.
  • web res image
    ukk3105 31200 1 webres.jpg

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