2024 Bathing Water Profile for Watergate Bay

http://environment.data.gov.uk/data/bathing-water-profile/ukk3106-32400/2024:1

  • bathing water description
    Watergate Bay is on the north coast of Cornwall. It is a rural sandy beach approximately one kilometre wide, backed by steep cliffs. There is a stream that disperses over the sand at the beach.
  • controller name
    Cornwall
  • county name
    Cornwall
  • ea investigations statement
    The Environment Agency periodically carries out additional catchment monitoring, and this is used to make recommendations for further improvements to protect and improve bathing water quality.
  • eso outfalls statement
    There is an emergency/storm overflow from the Watergate pumping station that discharges to the Watergate Stream 150m from the beach. The operation of the overflow can lead to a temporary drop in bathing water quality.
  • history statement
    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. Wastewater from Watergate is pumped to Newquay for treatment. Storm overflow event duration monitoring (EDM) was installed at the Watergate Bay pumping station by April 2011.
  • macro algae statement
    For the four year (2020-2023) assessment period where data is available, seaweed (macroalgae) was assessed as being sufficient to be objectionable for 4% of visits, with 72% of visits noting the presence of seaweed (macroalgae). This bathing water does not have a history of large amounts of seaweed (macro algae).
  • misconnections statement
    Wrongly connected domestic waste water pipes can also affect the bathing water quality. We have checked the local sewerage system for misconnections. Modern sewerage systems have two separate systems, one takes foul sewage to sewage treatment, the other takes rainwater runoff through surface water drains to rivers, lakes and the sea. Misconnections occur when waste water pipes are plumbed into surface water drains instead of the foul water sewerage system. This can give rise to pollution when the waste water is discharged directly to the environment through the surface water drain. For example, a washing machine or toilet may be incorrectly plumbed so that it discharges to the surface drain rather than the foul sewage drain.
  • phytoplankton statement
    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.
  • 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 Watergate Bay
  • sampling frequency
    10
  • 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. The Watergate Stream flows onto this beach. The Environment Agency have periodically monitored the stream and found that water quality is temporarily worse after heavy rainfall.
  • stw outfalls statement
    The outfall for the Newquay STW discharges into the sea approximately 1.8km northwest of Great Western bathing water at Towan Head. This discharge is disinfected and 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 Watergate Bay 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 7% of visits, with 57% of visits noting the presence of litter. Tarry residue was not noted at this site.
  • working with farmers statement
    There are two farms in the catchment which are used for livestock. During and after periods of heavy rainfall, runoff to the Watergate Stream from agricultural land is greatly increased, and the quality of the bathing water can 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 Watergate Bay is approximately 330 hectares. The Watergate Stream is two kilometres long and flows onto the beach. The steep catchment means rain runs off rapidly into the stream. Land use is mostly agricultural, with two farms. The catchment contains part of the RAF St Mawgan complex, the hamlet of Tregurrian, and at least two caravan sites.
  • bathing water

    Watergate Bay

  • local authority
    Cornwall
  • season interval

    p152 dT23 h59 m59 s

  • source
    row=0358
  • standard language collection

    2024 32400:1

    • 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
    ukk3106 32400 1 webres.jpg

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