2024 Bathing Water Profile for Coastguards Beach, Erme Estuary

http://environment.data.gov.uk/data/bathing-water-profile/ukk4305-26050/2024:1

  • bathing water description
    Coastguards beach is at the mouth of the Erme Estuary on the south coast of Devon. It is a remote sandy bay, approximately 650 metres wide, backed by sand dunes and cliffs. It can be accessed from a footpath.
  • controller name
    South Hams District
  • county name
    Devon
  • ea investigations statement
    The Environment Agency works with the water companies, local authorities and others to investigate any sources of contamination and to improve water quality at local bathing waters. The Environment Agency continues to work with and support local environmental groups with citizen science sampling projects on the Erme and its tributaries.
  • eso outfalls statement
    There are a number of permitted storm overflows that discharge into the River Erme and Estuary. In the 1km section upstream of the designated bathing water, there are no Combined Sewer Overflows or Sewage Pumping Station.
  • history statement
    There are no water company assets directly affecting Coastguard Beach bathing water, however there are many sewage treatment works and Combined Sewer Outfalls that discharge into the River Erme which then may impact the bathing water. South West Water has made significant sewage improvements in the Erme Estuary over several rounds of investment. Several Sewage Treatment Works in the estuary have undergone improvement schemes to provide secondary treatment and ultraviolet (UV) disinfection. Many storm overflows across the Erme Estuary have been upgraded to enhance environmental protection. Storm overflow event duration monitoring (EDM) has been installed at all storm overflows across the South West Water Network, and all data is publicly available.
  • local authority statement
    The urban areas of Ivybridge, Modbury, Ermington are served by combined (surface and sewer) systems. There are no outfalls from the systems onto the beach. Improvements are being investigated at Modbury and Ivybridge sewer systems to limit storm discharges after heavy rainfall.
  • macro algae statement
    This bathing water has some history of large amounts of seaweed (macro algae) and 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.
  • misconnections statement
    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. 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 South Hams District Council and South West Water to identify and rectify any problems when they arise.
  • phytoplankton statement
    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.
  • 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 Coastguards Beach, Erme Estuary
  • sampling frequency
    20
  • season finish date
    2024-09-30
  • season start date
    2024-05-01
  • streams rivers statement
    Streams and rivers are typically affected by human sewage, animal slurry and runoff from roads. This bathing water is next to the estuary of the River Erme, and the natural effects of the wind and tide in the estuary can affect the bathing water quality. We have monitored the River Erme at Sequers Bridge since 1987, and at the mouth at Owen's Point since 1994. The river may affect water quality after heavy rainfall.
  • stw outfalls statement
    Holbeton Sewage Treatment Works (STW) final effluent outfall is located over 2.5 km away. It discharges into the River Erme, upstream of the designated bathing water site. The treatment includes secondary treatment and ultraviolet (UV) disinfection.
  • 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.
  • working with farmers statement
    Part of the Environment Agency's role is to work with farmers to reduce the effects of farming on water quality. The Environment Agency provide advice to farmers on how to comply with regulations and good practice on farms to ensure that pollution entering watercourses is minimised. The catchment area of the Coastguards beach bathing water is mainly agricultural, with large areas of land used for livestock, including dairy and beef farming. After heavy rainfall, there is increased runoff from these agricultural areas into the River Erme, which can reduce the quality of the bathing water. The Environment Agency is collaborating with Natural England and farmers on Catchment Sensitive Farming programs to promote better farming practices and enhance water quality in the surrounding areas. A farm campaign conducted from 2011 to 2013 helped to identify pollution issues, leading to the fencing off of extensive stretches of watercourses to restrict livestock access.
  • working with partners statement
    This bathing water designation was submitted by the Wild About The Erme River (WATER) group. The group is a catchment focused action group working to restore the Erme River to its natural state, in order to safeguard all river users from the harmful effects of pollution and to protect and improve the biodiversity of the Erme’s catchment area and the estuary beyond. The Environment Agency will be working with the group and others in the catchment to ensure source of pollution are managed and rectified where possible.
  • working with private owners statement
    There are a number of private sewage treatment plants and septic tanks within the catchment and the Environment Agency continues to work with the owners to ensure that these are adequately maintained and do not impact on the water quality of the streams they discharge to.
  • zoi description
    The catchment surrounding Coastguards beach is approximately 10,500 hectares. The River Erme rises on south Dartmoor and flows for 25 kilometres through Ivybridge and Ermington, before reaching the estuary mouth at Wonwell and Mothecombe. The Erme Estuary is tidal as far as the weir at Flete, and like the other estuaries of South Devon, the original deep river valley has been flooded by sea level rise, to create a wide expanse of water. The catchment is mostly agricultural, with more than 50 farms.
  • bathing water

    Coastguards Beach, Erme Estuary

  • local authority
    South Hams District
  • season interval

    p152 dT23 h59 m59 s

  • source
    row=0297
  • standard language collection

    2024 26050:1

    • 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
    ukk4305 26050 1 webres.jpg

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