2024 Bathing Water Profile for Westward Ho!

http://environment.data.gov.uk/data/bathing-water-profile/ukk4307-33900/2024:1

  • bathing water description
    Westward Ho! is south of the Taw/Torridge Estuary on the north coast of Devon. It is a large sandy beach resort, approximately 1.7 kilometres wide, backed by a pebble ridge. Many rock pools are visible at low tide.
  • controller name
    Torridge
  • county name
    Devon
  • eso outfalls statement
    There is an emergency/storm overflow from the Northam pumping station. The overflow discharges to the sea at Rock Nose, one and a half kilometres from the Environment Agency monitoring point. The operation of the overflow can lead to a temporary drop in water quality at the bathing water. 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/
  • history statement
    In the past this bathing water was affected by continuous and intermittent discharges of sewage to the Taw/Torridge Estuary. The South West Water sewage treatment scheme for the area collects sewage from the various settlements around the Taw/Torridge Estuary. It is split into two schemes centred on the Ashford (Barnstaple) sewage treatment works (STW) (North Scheme), and a works at Cornborough (South Scheme). The North Scheme at Ashford (Barnstaple) STW, which provided secondary treatment and an outfall to the deep water channel of the Taw Estuary, was completed during 1996 and 1997. The STW was upgraded with ultraviolet (UV) disinfection in October 1997, and flows from the Velator STW were transferred to Ashford at that time. The South Scheme at Cornborough STW, which provides secondary treatment and UV disinfection, was completed in 2003. The scheme included the transfer of sewage from the Rock Nose discharge and other continuous discharges from the south bank of the Taw Estuary to Cornborough STW, and discharge though a 600m outfall at Abbotsham. A number of local sewerage systems with combined sewer overflows (CSO) in Bideford, Appledore, Velator, Fremington and parts of south Barnstaple were also improved or removed as part of the scheme. Improvements were made to eight storm overflows including Yelland CSO, Bideford pumping station (PS), and Instow 'A' PS in April 2004, and a further 22 storm overflows were improved by April 2005.
  • local authority statement
    The urban area of Westward Ho! immediately behind the beach is served by a combined (surface and sewer) system. There are no outfalls from the system onto the beach.
  • macro algae statement
    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 68% of visits. This bathing water does not have a history of large amounts of seaweed (macro algae).
  • 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. 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 Westward Ho!
  • sampling frequency
    20
  • season finish date
    2024-09-30
  • season start date
    2024-05-01
  • streams rivers statement
    There are no streams or rivers directly affecting this beach. However this beach is close to the Taw/Torridge Estuary which could affect the bathing water at certain states of the tide.
  • stw outfalls statement
    Sewage from Bideford, Westward Ho!, and the surrounding area, is treated at Cornborough STW and then discharges to the sea three kilometres southwest of the bathing water. Sewage from Barnstaple, Braunton, and the surrounding area, is treated at Ashford (Barnstaple) STW and then discharges to the Taw Estuary, eleven kilometres east of the bathing water. Both of these discharges are disinfected, and designed to protect bathing water quality.
  • 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 Westward Ho! 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 59% of visits. Tarry residue was not noted at this site.
  • working with farmers statement
    There are no known agricultural sources directly affecting this bathing water. During and after periods of very heavy rainfall, runoff to the Taw/Torridge Estuary from agricultural land is greatly increased, and the quality of the bathing water can be reduced.
  • zoi description
    The catchment surrounding Westward Ho! is approximately 85 hectares. There are no streams discharging directly to the bathing water, however, the Taw/Torridge Estuary enters the sea approximately two and a half kilometres north of Westward Ho! The catchment is urban.
  • bathing water

    Westward Ho!

  • local authority
    Torridge
  • season interval

    p152 dT23 h59 m59 s

  • source
    row=0377
  • standard language collection

    2024 33900:1

    • 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
    ukk4307 33900 1 webres.jpg

Example queries

Prefixes



table

perform query

Query results