2024 Bathing Water Profile for Watcombe
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Watcombe is on the south coast of Devon. It is a sandy beach resort, approximately 700 metres wide, backed by cliffs.
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Torbay
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Devon
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In 2004 the Environment Agency investigated the septic tank from the public toilets at the beach and found that it was discharging to the stream. This has been replaced by a sealed tank which is now emptied before each bathing season to prevent further discharges. No further investigations are planned.
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There are no water company assets directly associated with this bathing water. However, the South West Water sewerage schemes for Teignmouth and Torbay have had a positive affect on the water quality here. The area is served by combined sewers, which drain by gravity to Ilsham Valley pumping station from where flows are pumped to Torbay for treatment.
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For the one year (2023) assessment period where data is available, seaweed (macroalgae) was assessed as being sufficient to be objectionable for 29% of visits, with 57% of visits noting the presence of seaweed (macroalgae). The bathing water can become covered with large amounts of seaweed at certain times of the year, depending on tides and the weather. Groynes and rocks, platforms or other fixed objects may also develop a covering of seaweed which can be slippery.
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For the one year (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 29% of visits. Phytoplankton (microscopic algae) naturally increase in number at certain times of the year. This process is known as a phytoplankton bloom. These blooms can discolour the water or form as a foam on the water. 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.
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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 Watcombe
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2024-09-30
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2024-05-01
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Streams and rivers are typically affected by human sewage, animal slurry and runoff from roads. The small stream which flows across the beach can affect water quality after heavy rainfall.
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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 Watcombe for the one year (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 57% of visits. Tarry residue was not noted at this site.
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Watcombe Bathing Water reopened in July 2022. Since February 2020 the bathing water was closed due to footpath erosion after storms and heavy rain destroyed much of original access to the bathing water. The local authority has worked to reroute the watercourse and created new steps to provide safe access for bathers. The catchment surrounding Watcombe is approximately 25 hectares. There is a small stream 300m long that discharges at Watcombe Beach. The small urban area of Watcombe is set back half a kilometre behind the steep wooded cliffs that surround the beach.
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Watcombe
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Watcombe
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Sampling point at Watcombe
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292620
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50.49561770972719
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-3.515298325303885
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67300
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Sampling point at Watcombe
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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 23200:1
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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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