2024 Bathing Water Profile for Combe Martin
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Combe Martin is a small resort, in a sheltered valley, at the western edge of Exmoor National Park on the north Devon coast. The beach is sandy, approximately 110 metres wide and the River Umber is channelled across the beach at the west side.
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Combe Martin
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Devon
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The Environment Agency completed a project in 2009 which confirmed that the River Umber affects Combe Martin bathing water quality at most states of tide. Since 2009 the Environment Agency have been using a DNA tracing technique to help us identify whether sources of faecal pollution are human or animal. Our officers have walked over the catchment, taken additional samples and used continuous in-river monitors to help us target pollution problems and improve the bathing water. The Environment Agency have worked with local farmers to prevent livestock access to the river, to provide alternative farm animal drinking systems and control yard run-off. New dog waste bins have been installed along the river Umber to reduce contamination from faeces. In 2022 South West Water concluded on its Bathing Water Investigation at Combe Martin. The most beneficial interventions will be catchment management and ongoing vigilance with respect to misconnections. Further environmental outcomes including surface water separation, optimising the long sea outfall and a sewer rehab survey will be delivered in the next water industry environment programme. The Environment Agency is working to resolve any outstanding issues that have been identified and will continue its investigations during 2023.
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There is an emergency/storm overflow from the Beach pumping station that discharges to the River Umber 30m from the beach. There is an emergency/storm overflow from the Lorna Irwin pumping station and a storm overflow from Pack O' Cards CSO that both discharge to the River Umber further upstream from the beach. The operation of the overflows can lead to a temporary drop in bathing water quality at Combe Martin beach. The operation of these overflows is monitored and work is ongoing to reduce the duration and number of times these operate. Reducing the amount of surface water entering the sewer network can reduce the number of times overflows operate. Current work being carried out by South West Water includes reducing the infiltration of groundwater into the sewer pipes and diverting clean roof water into the river directly. A partnership project between South West Water, North Devon Biosphere Environment Agency, Catchment Sensitive Farming and local landowners began in the upper parts of the catchment. In February 2021 the planting of 40,000 trees occurred across this area. The trees will help delay rain from overwhelming the sewer system, reduce flood risk and help improve water quality at the bathing water.
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In the past the main impacts at this bathing water included a continuous discharge of untreated sewage at Lester Point, a private untreated discharge, and leaky sewers and unsatisfactory combined sewer overflows (CSO) discharging to the River Umber. The South West Water sewage treatment scheme for Combe Martin, which provides secondary treatment, was partially completed in 1995. The outfall for the scheme at Lester Point was extended in 1996. Extensive resewerage including improvements to combined sewer overflows (CSO) and the removal of a private untreated discharge were also completed at that time. The Combe Martin STW was upgraded with ultraviolet disinfection in 2001. Storm overflow event duration monitoring was installed at Pack O'Cards and Lorna Irwin CSOs, and Beach pumping station by April 2011. Extensive re-lining of sewers was carried out by South West Water during early 2013. A major project to increase capacity at the Pack O’Cards and Beach CSO’s was undertaken during winter 2014/2015 and was completed in March 2015. In 2018 a leaking sewer pipe discharging into the Rosea Stream was identified by the Environment Agency and subsequently repaired by South West Water. In 2019 South West Water carried out works at Lorna Irwin CSO and Beach CSO to improve the system in this area and reduce the number of spills from these assets. Further work is ongoing. Since 2020 , as part of their AMP7 project (the 7th Asset Management Period planned by the UK water industry) South West Water has been working within the catchment to reduce infiltration, identify further misconnections and reduce the number of storm overflows by optimising the sewer network in Combe Martin.
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The urban area of Combe Martin 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. Working with local volunteers, the Environment Agency carried out a Yellow Fish campaign in 2016 to raise awareness of sources of water pollution. The campaign highlighted the damage caused by pouring oils, paints, solvents, chemicals or dirty water down highway gullies or surface drains. Further awareness raising campaigns, in partnership with Combe Martin Parish Council, were carried out in 2018. This included establishing the Combe Martin Water Watch group, a local community action group driving water quality improvements and awareness raising campaigns. The Environment Agency will continue to work with the community group and other interested parties. In 2021 DNA analysis of previous year’s water quality samples has shown faecal bacteria from dog fouling to be a contributor of poor water quality at the bathing water. This may be from dogs directly on the beach, or from dog faeces further up the catchment washing into the river or surface water system. The Environment Agency is helping to provide new dog waste bins alongside the River Umber to encourage responsible dog owners to dispose of dog waste appropriately.
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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 6% of visits, with 91% 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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Wrongly connected domestic waste water pipes can also affect the bathing water quality. 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. We have checked the local sewerage system for misconnections and we are working with South West Water to identify and rectify any problems when they arise. In 2022 South West Water will be continuing their investigations into complex misconnections in the culverted section of the River Umber.
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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 5% 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 has some 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 sunlight 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 28 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 Combe Martin
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2024-09-30
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2024-05-01
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Combe Martin is an agriculture priority catchment in 2024 so will be investigated for sources of diffuse agricultural pollution. The EA and SWW will continue to investigate the Culverted section at the River Umber for possible misconnections and will continue to deliver environmental outcomes through their waterfit programme including surface water separation and phase 4 sewer rehab survey. . Planning applications from local businesses will be reviewed and discussed to ensure their sewer infrastructure is sufficient and support water quality. The parish council will look into the beach access and start a Dog waste Campaign The EA will be adding additional freshwater sampling to Streams in the 2024 bathing season, this will be used to investigate the several high sample results recorded in 2023.
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The River Umber flows across the beach southwest of the Environment Agency monitoring point. The Environment Agency have monitored the river since 1986 and found that it can be affected by sewage and runoff from farms further up the catchment during wet weather. The Furze Park Stream flows across the beach at the western edge of the beach. The Environment Agency have historically monitored this stream and found that it has little effect on bathing water quality.
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The outfall from Combe Martin STW discharges 450m offshore of the bathing water. 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 Combe Martin for the four year (2020-2023) assessment period where data is available, sewage debris was not assessed as being sufficient to be objectionable, but was observed as being present on 2% of visits. Litter was not assessed as being sufficient to be objectionable, but was observed as being present on 62% of visits. Tarry residue was not noted at this site.
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The Combe Martin catchment is largely agricultural with significant areas of land used for cows and sheep. During and after periods of heavy rainfall, runoff from agricultural land is greatly increased, and the quality of the bathing water can be reduced. In 2015 the Environment Agency carried out a comprehensive campaign to improve farming practices in the catchment, with further farm visits by our officers in 2018, 2020 and 2021. The Environment Agency, Catchment Sensitive Farming and South West Water continue to work together with farmers to minimise pollution from agriculture. Throughout the years the Environment Agency has funded installation of 8.5km of fencing to restrict livestock access to the river and stream, installed alternative water drinkers, clean-up of farmyard water systems across 25 farms and improved slurry and yard storage.
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There are caravan parks and hotels that are not on the main sewerage system and have private sewage treatment arrangements. In 2019 a detailed investigation of campsites in the area found no issues. If any concerns arise, the Environment Agency will investigate and where necessary request immediate remedial action from those responsible. In early 2021 South West Water worked with private owners at 35 homes in the catchment to install smart water butts. These capture roof run-off and reduce surface water from entering the sewer system and overwhelming the system during high rainfall events. In 2022 South West Water and the Environment Agency are working with the owners of a local wildlife park to improve site drainage and sewerage and reduce any impact on bathing water quality.
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The catchment surrounding Combe Martin is approximately 1,500 hectares. There are two streams at the beach. The Furze Park Stream is approximately 2.3 kilometres (km) long and enters the sea at the west side of the beach. The River Umber is approximately five kilometres long and drains directly from the northern slopes of Exmoor. The very steep slopes in the area mean rain runs off rapidly into the river. Land use is mostly agricultural, with more than 50 farms.
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Combe Martin
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Combe Martin
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Sampling point at Combe Martin
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257720
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51.207316565673665
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-4.038184203580404
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147320
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Sampling point at Combe Martin
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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 34700:1
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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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