2024 Bathing Water Profile for Beacon Cove

http://environment.data.gov.uk/data/bathing-water-profile/ukk4200-23700/2024:1

  • bathing water description
    Beacon Cove is on the south coast of Devon at Torquay. It is a small pebbled cove, approximately 500 metres wide, near the town centre next to Torquay Harbour.
  • controller name
    Torbay
  • county name
    Devon
  • history statement
    In the past the main affects on this bathing water were from streams and intermittent discharges entering Torbay, and particularly the untreated outfall at Hopes Nose. This discharge was removed as part of South West Water's sewage treatment scheme for Torbay which was commissioned in May 2002. The scheme consisted of extensive resewerage and improvements to unsatisfactory combined sewer overflows (CSO) and pumping stations, including those discharging into Torquay Harbour, which are the closest to Beacon Cove. 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. A sewage works was built at Brokenbury Quarry in 2002 where effluent receives secondary treatment and ultraviolet (UV) disinfection before discharge through an extended outfall at Sharkham Point. Flows from the untreated outfall at Hopes Nose were transferred to Brokenbury by June 2003, and this outfall was retained as a CSO. Storm overflow event duration monitoring (EDM) was installed at the Fleet Walk 1 and 2 CSOs by April 2011, and at the Beacon Hill CSO by April 2015.
  • local authority statement
    The urban area of Torquay immediately behind the beach is served by a combined (surface and sewer) system. There are no outfalls from the system onto the beach.
  • macro algae statement
    For the three year (2021-2023) assessment period where data is available, seaweed (macroalgae) was not assessed as being sufficient to be objectionable, but was observed as being present on 95% of visits. 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 assessed as being sufficient to be objectionable, but was observed as being present on 2% 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 Beacon Cove
  • sampling frequency
    20
  • season finish date
    2024-09-30
  • season start date
    2024-05-01
  • 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 Beacon Cove for the three year (2021-2023) 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 77% of visits. Tarry residue was not noted at this site.
  • zoi description
    The catchment surrounding Beacon Cove is approximately 140 hectares. There are no streams within the beach area and the catchment is urban.
  • bathing water

    Beacon Cove

  • local authority
    Torbay
  • season interval

    p152 dT23 h59 m59 s

  • source
    row=0258
  • standard language collection

    2024 23700:1

    • 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
    ukk4200 23700 1 webres.jpg

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