2014 Bathing Water Profile for Penmaenmawr
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Situated on the north Wales coastline, 11 kilometres east of Bangor, the beach is sandy at low tide, with stones and pebbles forming the upper bay area. The beach area extends approximately 1 kilometre, with rocks and coastal defences fringing the outer reaches. The coastal water and coastal belt form the Menai Strait and Conwy Bay Special Area of Conservation, confirming the high conservation status of the area. The water quality sample point is located at the north end of the promenade.
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Conwy
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Natural Resources Wales works to establish sources of pollution around Penmaenmawr. Some of this work is carried out in partnership with Conwy County Council and Dŵr Cymru Welsh Water. Inspections are carried out by Natural Resources Wales in partnership with the local authority and the water company. These are carried out pre-season (before the 1st of May) and mid season if required (during the bathing water season). A bacterial survey was undertaken along the length of the river catchment in 2009 and in 2011, as part of a review of the whole catchment. Results indicated high bacterial levels in the Moel Llys Area. Investigations are currently underway to establish if the contaminated surface water outfall is impacting on bathing water quality, and to establish the origin of the contamination.
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Within the catchment of the bathing water, there are 2 intermittent discharges with outfalls discharging inland and into coastal waters in the catchment. Station Road Combined Storm Overflow is located on the main sewer line at Penmaenmawr, whilst the Promenade Pumping Station between Penmaenmawr and Dwygyfylchi transfers sewage east to the treatment works.
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Penmaenmawr Sewage Treatment Works treats sewage effluent from the catchments of Penmaenmawr and Dwygyfylchi. A new sewage treatment works has been built and now discharges secondary treated sewage effluent into coastal waters. To protect bathing waters, the outfall is 360 metres from the shore, approximately 1.5 kilometres from the bathing water, and is disinfected.
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Natural Resources Wales continues to work with Conwy Council to maintain the high standard of water quality at Penmaenmawr.
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This bathing water does not have a history of large amounts of seaweed (macroalgae).
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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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Phytoplankton (microscopic algae) naturally increase in number at certain times of the year. This process is known as a phytoplankton bloom. Algal Blooms can occur at any beach during the bathing season and are usually noticeable by a surface scum. This beach has no history of such blooms.
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2014 Bathing Water Profile for Penmaenmawr
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Streams are typically affected by sewage or industrial run off from further up the catchment. The Graiglwyd is the main river in the catchment. There is no evidence at present that the quality of the Graiglwyd represents a risk to bathing water quality.
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There is a caravan park in the upper catchment and a number of private properties which are not on the main sewerage system and have private sewage treatment arrangements. If any concerns arise, Natural Resources Wales will investigate and request immediate remedial action from those responsible for any pollution. Poorly maintained private sewage treatment facilities could be a source of pollution, therefore the registration of all private sewage systems in Wales is required by 30 June 2012. The primary aim of this exercise is to provide increased protection for the environment and sensitive features such as bathing water beaches. Where properties are identified in the catchment that are not on mains sewerage, Natural Resources Wales will endeavour to ensure registration has been made.
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The natural drainage (hydrological) catchment surrounding the bathing water is primarily urban, namely the town of Penmaenmawr. The River Graiglwyd drains down through the town, from the upper catchment, picking up several small tributaries, before discharging onto the beach, near to the sample point. Behind the town, the land rises sharply to form hills, used for rough grazing. This area also includes the Penmaenmawr granite quarry.
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2014 40180:1
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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 and Wales 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 and Natural Resources Wales role to drive improvement of water quality at bathing waters that are at risk of failing European 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 and Wales since the 1980s.
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