2024 Bathing Water Profile for Torre Abbey
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Torre Abbey is on the south coast of Devon at Torquay. It is a large sandy beach resort, approximately 800 metres wide, backed by the promenade.
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Torbay
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Devon
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Extensive investigations of the sewers and streams in this catchment have been carried out. In 2004 the Environment Agency carried out surveys to identify possible sources of contamination to the Torre Abbey Stream. Misconnections and leaking sewers were found and work carried out to rectify any problems. In 2009 a project highlighted properties that were wrongly connected to the surface water system, and these have been corrected. In 2010 a dedicated Torbay Beach Project Officer investigated further and took samples. As part of our investigations a DNA tracing technique was used to help us identify whether sources of faecal pollution were human or animal. In 2015 and 2016 the Environment Agency carried out further investigations looking at any potential misconnected properties. This was followed by a CCTV investigation of the sewers in the Sherwell Park area. Further work to improve dual manholes and misconnected properties has been ongoing with South West Water.
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There is a storm overflow from the Kings Drive Penstock at SX9067063720 that discharges to the Torre Abbey Stream 400m from the bathing water. The operation of the overflow can lead to a temporary drop in bathing water quality. This bathing water is included in the Surfers Against Sewage “Safer Seas Service”. This service can alert you to Combined Storm Sewer Overflow discharges via a phone App and in addition, it includes the Environment Agency Pollution Risk Forecast warnings where they are available. Further details of the service can be found at - http://www.sas.org.uk/safer-seas-service/
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In the past the main water company effects on this bathing water were from the combined sewer overflow (CSO) at Kings Drive Penstock - that discharges to the Torre Abbey Stream two kilometres upstream - and the untreated outfall at Hopes Nose. The continuous outfall at Hopes Nose 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 CSOs and pumping stations, including improvements to the Kings Drive Penstock CSO. 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 Kings Drive Penstock CSO by May 2011, and improvements to seven storm overflows were completed by April 2015. In February 2016 South West Water began a project in the Sherwell Valley Road area to improve Torquay's sewer network. The scheme includes laying new sewers, replacing other sewers with larger pipes and replacing manholes in order to separate the foul and surface water systems. These improvements are designed to prevent foul sewage from entering the surface water network. As part of the works, South West Water have extended the existing underground storm storage tank in Rocket Park, off Mallock Road.
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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.
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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 13% of visits, with 80% 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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Wrongly connected domestic waste water pipes can also affect the bathing water quality. We have checked the local sewerage system for misconnections. We are working with Torbay Council and South West Water to identify and rectify any problems when they arise. 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.
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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 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.
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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, tide, wind 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 4 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 Torre Abbey
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2024-09-30
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2024-05-01
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The Torre Abbey Stream flows across the beach to the west of the Environment Agency monitoring point. The Environment Agency have monitored the stream since 1989 and found that it is affected by runoff from urban areas and highway drains. Permanent signage advising of poor water quality and risk to health is now in place next to the stream on 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 Torre Abbey 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 3% of visits, with 47% of visits noting the presence of litter. Tarry residue was not noted at this site.
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There are some private discharges with potential to cause pollution, however at present 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.
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The catchment surrounding Torre Abbey is approximately 880 hectares, and is mainly urban. The Torre Abbey (Cockington) Stream that discharges to the beach is approximately two kilometres long, and for much of its length is channelled underground. The upper sections of the stream receive flows from the large catchment area through surface water sewers and highway drains. The steep catchment means rain runs off rapidly into the stream.
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Torre Abbey
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Torre Abbey
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Sampling point at Torre Abbey
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291076
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50.462437951767605
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-3.535992499539414
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63641
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Sampling point at Torre Abbey
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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 23800:1
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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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