2014 Bathing Water Profile for Freshwater East
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Measuring approximately 1 kilometre in length, this sandy beached is backed by a large dune system, with Old Red Sandstone cliffs on either side. Freshwater East forms part of the Pembrokeshire Marine Special Area of Conservation, confirming the high level of conservation status of the area. The bathing water also lies within Pembrokeshire Coast National Park. The water quality sample point is located at the centre of the beach, where a small stream meets the sea.
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Pembrokeshire
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Natural Resources Wales works with Pembrokeshire County Council, Dŵr Cymru Welsh Water and local interest groups to identify sources of pollution that may impact on Freshwater East bathing water quality. 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).
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Discharges from storm overflows can occur within the vicinity of the bathing water. These discharges happen when heavy rainfall overwhelms the sewage system and causes diluted sewage to spill. These protect domestic properties in Freshwater East from being flooded by sewage during heavy rainfall. These are inspected annually.
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Natural Resources Wales has developed a good working relationship with Dŵr Cymru Welsh Water and liaises regularly to identify problems that could affect bathing water quality. Dŵr Cymru Welsh Water attends pre-season bathing water inspections with Natural Resources Wales to ensure all sewage treatment works are operating correctly.
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Natural Resources Wales continue to work with Pembrokeshire County Council to identify any sources of pollution.
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This bathing water does not have a history of large amounts of seaweed (macroalgae).
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Wrongly connected waste water pipes can affect the water quality of rivers and the sea. Any suspect misconnections will be passed to Pembrokeshire County Council for investigation. 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. These algal blooms can occur at any beach during the bathing season and are usually noticeable by a surface scum. This beach has a history of such blooms.
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2014 Bathing Water Profile for Freshwater East
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Streams and rivers are typically affected by sewage or industrial run off from further up the catchment. At Freshwater East, a stream flows onto the beach next to the access path and close to the designated sample point. Following periods of heavy rain, bathing water quality can deteriorate. Diffuse pollution sources entering the stream is thought to be the main cause of any deterioration in bathing water quality.
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The discharge of treated effluent from the Freshwater East Sewage Treatment Works enters the sea via an outfall to low water off Trewent Point, (around the headland to the west of the bay).
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A significant area of pastureland, occupied by livestock, features in the catchment to the rear of the beach. A programme of farm visits is carried out each year, to monitor farming methods and share best practice.
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Poorly maintained private sewage treatment facilities could be a source of pollution, therefore the registration of all qualifying private sewage systems in Wales was 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 discharges from properties are identified in the catchment that are not on mains sewerage, Natural Resources Wales will endeavour to ensure registration has been made, unless already a permitted discharge. Natural Resources Wales places a high value on public participation in helping to trace sources of environmental pollution. Natural Resources Wales welcomes any comments or information from the pubic with regards to environmental pollution.
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The natural drainage (hydrological) catchment surrounding the bathing water is predominantly agricultural, with a small village, chalet and caravan park behind the beach.
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2014 38235:1
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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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