2024 Bathing Water Profile for Bovisand

http://environment.data.gov.uk/data/bathing-water-profile/ukk4305-26300/2024:1

  • bathing water description
    Bovisand is on the south coast of Devon. It is a remote sandy bay, approximately 100 metres wide, surrounded by cliffs. There is a small stream that flows over the beach to the sea.
  • controller name
    South Hams
  • county name
    Devon
  • ea investigations statement
    The Environment Agency periodically carries out additional catchment monitoring, and this is used to make recommendations for further improvements to protect and improve bathing water quality.
  • macro algae statement
    For the four year (2020-2023) assessment period where data is available, seaweed (macroalgae) was assessed as being sufficient to be objectionable for 23% of visits, with 71% of visits noting the presence of seaweed (macroalgae). The bathing water can become covered with large amounts of seaweed, depending on tides and the weather. This bathing water has a history of large amounts of seaweed.
  • phytoplankton statement
    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. 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 Bovisand
  • 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. The Bovisand Stream flows onto the beach. The Environment Agency have monitored the stream since 1992 and found that water quality is temporarily worse during and after heavy rainfall. The Bovisand Steam also occasionally has elevated bacterial levels during dry weather from private sewage treatment works.
  • 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. At Bovisand 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 2% of visits, with 70% of visits noting the presence of litter. Tarry residue was not noted at this site.
  • working with farmers statement
    During and after periods of heavy rainfall, runoff to the Bovisand Stream from agricultural land is greatly increased, and the quality of the bathing water can be reduced.
  • working with private owners statement
    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.
  • zoi description
    The catchment surrounding Bovisand is approximately 180 hectares. The Bovisand Stream is approximately 1.4 kilometres long and enters the sea at the bathing water. Land use is mostly agricultural with just one or two farms.
  • bathing water

    Bovisand

  • local authority
    South Hams
  • season interval

    p152 dT23 h59 m59 s

  • source
    row=0283
  • standard language collection

    2024 26300:1

    • 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 26300 1 webres.jpg

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