2024 Bathing Water Profile for Tolcarne
-
Tolcarne is in Newquay Bay on the north coast of Cornwall. It is a sandy beach resort approximately 250 metres wide backed by cliffs and the town of Newquay.
-
Cornwall
-
Cornwall
-
The sewage treatment scheme for Newquay, which provides secondary treatment and ultraviolet disinfection, was completed by South West Water in April 2000. Extensive sewerage work to combined sewer overflows in the Newquay area was also carried out at that time.
-
The urban area of Newquay immediately behind the beach is served by a combined (surface and sewer) system. There are no outfalls from the system onto the beach.
-
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 57% of visits. 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 Tolcarne
-
2024-09-30
-
2024-05-01
-
The outfall for the Newquay STW discharges into the sea approximately 1.9km northwest of Tolcarne bathing water at Towan Head. 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 Tolcarne for the four year (2020-2023) 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 32% of visits. Tarry residue was not noted at this site.
-
The catchment surrounding Tolcarne is approximately five and a half hectares. There are no streams which enter the sea at this bathing water. Surface water within this small catchment drains directly to the beach as runoff on the northwest facing slope. Land use is urban being on the edge of Newquay.
-
Tolcarne
-
Tolcarne
-
Sampling point at Tolcarne
-
181760
-
50.41766180364849
-
-5.073472516392133
-
62050
-
Sampling point at Tolcarne
-
-
-
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 32320:1
-
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.
-
