Measuring almost 3 kilometres in length and facing out into the Atlantic, the beach is sandy with a steep pebble bank above the high tide mark, with South Wales lower coal measures (shale) cliffs at either end. The land surrounding the beach is predominantly agricultural, with the Newgale Campsite situated immediately behind on the opposite side of the road. The coastal waters and coastal belt is designated as the Pembrokeshire Marine Special Area of Conservation, confirming the high conservation status of the area. The bathing water also lies within Pembrokeshire Coast National Park. The water quality sample point is located to the centre of the beach.
Natural Resources Wales works to establish sources of pollution around Newgale. Inspections are carried out in partnership with the Pembrokeshire County Council and Dŵr Cymru Welsh Water. These are carried out pre-season (before the 1st May) and mid-season, if required (during the bathing water season).
Discharges from storm overflows can occur within the vicinity of the bathing water. These discharges occur when heavy rainfall overwhelms the sewage system and causes diluted sewage to spill. This protects domestic properties in Newgale from being flooded by sewage during heavy rainfall. These are inspected annually by Natural Resources Wales.
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.
During pre season inspections, a main focal point is the sewage treatment system in Newgale, which serves Roch, Simpson Cross and Newgale. The sewage treatment works provides a high quality effluent, with ultra violet disinfection, to protect bathing water quality.
Wrongly connected waste water pipes can affect the water quality of rivers and the sea. Misconnections are investigated by the local authority.
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.
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.
Streams and rivers are typically affected by sewage or industrial runoff from further up the catchment. Brandy Brook and Bathesland Water are primarily influenced by run off from agricultural land. Brandy Brook may sometimes be of poorer water quality after heavy rainfall.
Newgale Sewage Treatment Works discharges treated sewage effluent into Brandy Brook. This stream enters the sea at the north of Newgale beach. The water quality of this stream is monitored annually by Natural Resources Wales.
Significant areas of pastureland, occupied by livestock, feature in the largely agricultural catchments of the Bathesland Water and Brandy Brook. A program of farm visits is carried out each year, to monitor farming methods and share best practice.
Natural Resources Wales places a high value on public participation in helping to identify environmental pollution. This work involves where necessary, advisory mail drops, dye tracing, misconnection surveys and face to face meetings.
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.
The natural drainage (hydrological) catchment surrounding the bathing water is predominantly agricultural, with the small villages of Newgale and Roch upstream.
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.
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.
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.
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.