2024 Bathing Water Profile for Woolacombe Village
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Woolacombe is on the north coast of Devon. It is a large sandy beach resort, approximately 700 metres wide, backed by sand dunes. There is a stream which spreads out over the sand at the back of the beach.
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North Devon District
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Devon
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In 2019 the Environment Agency began investigation of the Woolacombe stream, following observations of high bacteria levels. Extra bacteria sampling and a walkover of part of the catchment took place. Due to COVID-19 restrictions this work was paused in 2020 but is scheduled to recommence in 2021.
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There is an emergency/storm overflow from the Woolacombe pumping station that discharges to the sea 680m northwest of the Environment Agency monitoring point. 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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The sewage treatment scheme for Woolacombe which provides secondary treatment and ultraviolet disinfection, was completed by South West Water in early 2001. Alarms were installed at Castle Rock pumping station (PS) and Woolacombe Beach PS during 2003, and leaking sewers were also replaced at Chapel Hill Morthoe at that time. The outfall from Woolacombe STW as extended in 2005. Storm overflow event duration monitoring was installed at Woolacombe STW by April 2011.
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The urban area of Woolacombe immediately behind the beach is served by a combined (surface and sewer) system. There are no outfalls from the system onto the beach. 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 not assessed as being sufficient to be objectionable, but was observed as being present on 35% of visits. 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 North Devon District 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 noted at this site. Phytoplankton increase in number at certain times of the year and this process is known as a phytoplankton bloom. These blooms can discolour the water or form as a foam on the water. The Environment Agency research shows this bathing water has 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 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 no 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 Woolacombe Village
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2024-09-30
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2024-05-01
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The Woolacombe Stream flows across the beach to the south of the Environment Agency monitoring point. The Environment Agency have monitored the stream between 1989 and 2008, and again between 2013 and 2014. We have found that it is affected by runoff from farms and possibly other sources further up the catchment.
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The outfall from Woolacombe STW discharges to the sea 680m northwest of the Environment Agency monitoring point. This discharge is disinfected and 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 Woolacombe Village for the four year (2020-2023) 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 35% of visits. Tarry residue was not noted at this site.
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There are four beef and sheep farms in this small catchment. During and after periods of heavy rainfall, runoff from agricultural areas to the Woolacombe Stream is greatly increased, and the quality of the bathing water may be reduced.
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There are caravan parks and hotels that are not on the main sewerage system and have private sewage treatment arrangements. If any concerns arise, the Environment Agency will investigate and request immediate remedial action from those responsible.
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The catchment surrounding Woolacombe Village is approximately 440 hectares. The Woolacombe Stream is approximately three kilometres (km) long and flows through a valley from the village of Ossaborough to the beach at Woolacombe. The steep catchment means rain runs off rapidly into the stream. Land use is mainly agricultural with four livestock farms.
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Woolacombe Village
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Woolacombe Village
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Sampling point at Woolacombe Village
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245620
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51.17164430892172
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-4.209713896735271
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143700
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Sampling point at Woolacombe Village
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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 34400:1
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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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