2024 Bathing Water Profile for Croyde Bay
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Croyde Bay is on the north coast of Devon. It is a sandy beach resort, approximately 670 metres wide, backed with dunes and sheltered by the surrounding hills. There is a stream flowing across the beach to the sea.
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North Devon
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Devon
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The Environment Agency have used a DNA tracing technique to help us identify whether sources of faecal pollution are human or animal, and found that inputs are mainly from animal sources. Investigations into possible causes of sporadic poor water quality are ongoing in 2021.
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There is an emergency/storm overflow from the Croyde pumping station that discharges to the sea 300m from the Environment Agency monitoring point. The operation of the overflow can lead to a temporary drop in bathing water quality at Croyde.
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In the past this bathing water was affected by both continuous and intermittent sewage discharges to the Taw/Torridge Estuary, and the Croyde outfall. The South West Water sewage treatment scheme for Croyde was partially completed during 1994. The scheme included sewerage improvements and enhanced storm storage facilities at the Croyde pumping station. The installation of screens and relocation of the combined sewer overflow (CSO) at Croyde sewage treatment works (STW) were also carried out at that time. Secondary treatment and ultraviolet disinfection at Croyde STW and relocation of the outfall were completed in 2003. A considerable length of sewer was replaced and made larger from Croyde High Street to the holiday park to resolve sewer flooding. This was also completed during 2003. Storm overflow event duration monitoring was installed at Croyde pumping station by April 2011, and at Croyde STW by April 2013.
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The urban area of Croyde immediately behind the beach is served by a combined (surface and sewer) system. The Environment Agency have regularly inspected and sampled surface water outfalls.
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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 74% 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. 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 noted at this site. 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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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 and wind 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 7 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 Croyde Bay
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2024-09-30
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2024-05-01
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The Croyde Stream flows across the beach to the east of the Environment Agency monitoring point. The Environment Agency have monitored the stream since 2000 and found that it is affected by runoff from farms further up the catchment. Under certain conditions the Taw/Torridge Estuary can also affect water quality at the bathing water.
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The outfall from Croyde STW discharges to the sea one and a half kilometres from the bathing water. This discharge is designed to protect bathing water quality.
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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 Croyde 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 3% of visits, with 64% of visits noting the presence of litter. Tarry residue was not noted at this site.
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There are around 20 farms in the catchment, most of which are dairy and beef. During and after periods of heavy rainfall, runoff from agricultural areas to the Croyde Stream is greatly increased, and the quality of the bathing water may be reduced. The Environment Agency continues to work with farmers to manage livestock in the catchment and prevent cattle access to the streams.
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There is a holiday park next to the beach which has a private sewerage system that is connected to Croyde STW. If any concerns arise, the Environment Agency will investigate and request immediate remedial action from those responsible.
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The catchment surrounding Croyde Bay is approximately 1,000 hectares. The Croyde Stream is approximately four and a half kilometres (km) long and flows through the village of Croyde before entering the sea at the beach. The steep catchment means rain runs off rapidly into the stream. Land use is mostly agricultural, with around 20 farms.
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Croyde Bay
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Croyde Bay
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Sampling point at Croyde Bay
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243470
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51.13152405671773
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-4.238529434699125
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139300
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Sampling point at Croyde Bay
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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 34200:1
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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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