2024 Bathing Water Profile for Porthluney
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Porthluney is on the south coast of Cornwall. It is a remote, sheltered sandy beach, approximately 380 metres wide. Several small streams collect behind the beach and flow across the sand to the sea.
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Cornwall
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Cornwall
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The Environment Agency have carried out extensive additional catchment monitoring alongside the Environment Agency routine bathing water monitoring. The Environment Agency have used DNA tracing technique to help us identify whether sources of faecal pollution are animal or human with surveys carried out in wet and dry weather conditions. Results have suggested the predominant source is ruminant in both dry and wet weather conditions. During 2021 monitoring was carried out on Tregavarras stream, this found bacteria levels were higher during August and September but no source has been identified. During 2022 the stream results were of a good standard, until August when bacterial levels started to rise. The investigation concluded there is a source of contamination in the lower stream catchment, between Tubbs Mill and the beach. 2023 investigation identified sources of pollution from private discharges. In most cases, permit holders were not compliant with their permit conditions. Additionally, there were several unpermitted discharges found.
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There are no large South West Water assets in the catchment. St Erme STW is located 7km upstream and does not significantly impact on the bathing water.
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The Environment Agency are investigating the extent of surface water runoff with the aim of working with the local authority to improve highway drainage.
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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 26% of visits, with 71% 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 increase in number at certain times of the year and this process is known as a phytoplankton bloom. These blooms can discolour the water or form as a foam on the water. A phytoplankton bloom was recorded at this bathing water in August 2009. 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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This bathing water is subject to short term pollution procedures. The Environment Agency makes a daily pollution risk forecast at this site based on the effects of rain, wind, sunlight and seasonality on bathing water quality. These factors affect the levels of bacteria that get washed into the sea from livestock, sewage and urban drainage via rivers and streams and how they disperse. When these factors combine to make short term pollution likely we issue a pollution risk warning on this website and the beach manager will display a sign advising against bathing at the bathing water. After a short term pollution event, levels of bacteria typically return to normal after a day or so but it’s possible to have several warning days in a row. Details of the work to reduce the sources of bacteria at this bathing water are detailed in this profile. In 2023 32 pollution risk warnings were issued for this bathing water. All bathing waters have the potential to be affected by a pollution incident and if this occurs a pollution risk warning will be issued with associated advice against bathing on this website.
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2024 Bathing Water Profile for Porthluney
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2024-09-30
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2024-05-01
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Following a drop in class to Poor, all sewage discharges will be inspected for compliance and to ensure all EA advice has been followed and required improvements made. A wet weather survey of the stream and pipes will be undertaken to establish if previously identified pollution sources still pose a risk to the bathing water and to identify bacterial sources between Tubbs Mill and the Beach during August and September. The monitoring programme has been increased for 2024 to gather further evidence from the catchment.
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Streams and rivers are typically affected by human sewage, animal slurry and runoff from roads. The Caerhays Stream flows into the sea at this beach. The Environment Agency have monitored the stream since 1986 and found that water quality is temporarily worse during and after heavy rainfall.
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St Ewes STW discharges to the Caerhays stream 5km from the beach but has not been shown to have an impact on water quality at the beach.
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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 Porthluney 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 52% of visits noting the presence of litter. Tarry residue was not noted at this site.
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There are around 20 farms in the catchment, most of which are used for livestock. During and after periods of heavy rainfall, runoff to the Caerhays Stream and tributaries from agricultural land is greatly increased, and the quality of the bathing water can be reduced. The Environment Agency are working with Natural England and farmers on Catchment Sensitive Farming programmes to encourage better farming practices and improve water quality in the surrounding areas. The Porthluney catchment was a national pilot catchment for cattle in streams fencing work, and there was extensive work to fence cattle from streams in a significant proportion of the lower half of the catchment. Following an incident in 2023 farm drainage systems were improved upstream to prevent slurry from entering the watercourse
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There are caravan parks, local toilet facilities, 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. In 2015, the Environment Agency in partnership with local landowners completed phase one of a rural SUDs project, to restore wetlands on the Rescassa & Trevascus streams. Phase two of this project, a constructed summer wetland on the Trevascus Stream, was completed in 2016. These wetlands impound and treat rainfall during storm events, and this should significantly improve water quality on the River Luney and therefore reduce impact on the bathing water at Porthluney Beach. During the 2023 bathing season an extensive investigation was undertaken alongside site visits within the catchment to identify sources of pollution from private discharges. In most cases, permit holders were not compliant with their permit conditions so advice and improvement notices were issued..
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The catchment surrounding Porthluney is approximately 2,900 hectares. This includes the Caerhays Stream and tributaries (St Ewe Stream and Hewas Water). The Caerhays Stream is approximately 13 kilometres long and enters the sea at Porthluney Beach. The upper catchment has been affected by historical mineral/metal mining activities. The steep catchment means rain runs off rapidly into the streams. Land use is agricultural, with around 20 farms which are mostly dairy, beef, and sheep. A significant amount of land is used for growing bulbs and maize. There are patches of woodland throughout the catchment mostly in the steeper valleys. Urban areas include the villages of Sticker, Hewas Water, Polmassick and St Ewe and there are at least four caravan and camping sites. The Cuckoo Rock to Turbot Point Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) is at the coast and the catchment is within part of the Cornwall Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB).
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Porthluney
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Porthluney
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Sampling point at Porthluney
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197340
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50.236773121760834
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-4.843300092072096
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41290
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Sampling point at Porthluney
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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 28400:1
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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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