2019 Bathing Water Profile for Low Newton
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Low Newton Beach is a remote bathing water on the north Northumberland coast. The gently sloping sandy beach is 0.5 kilometres long with the Environment Agency sampling point to the northern end of the bay.
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Northumberland
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Northumberland
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2019 Bathing Water Profile for Low Newton
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For the four year (2015-2018) assessment period where data is available, seaweed (macroalgae) was assessed as being sufficient to be objectionable for 2% of visits, with 98% of visits noting the presence of seaweed (macroalgae). Environment Agency research suggests this bathing water does not have a history of large amounts of seaweed (macro algae).
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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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For the four year (2015-2018) assessment period where data is available, phytoplankton (microscopic algae) was not noted at this site. Environment Agency research suggests 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.
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2019 Bathing Water Profile for Low Newton
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2019-09-30
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2019-05-01
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This bathing water typically achieves a high water quality standard.
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There are no sewage treatment outfalls within the bathing beach. Sewage from Low Newton and High Newton area is pumped to Embleton for treatment.
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Environment Agency samplers make observations of litter present on the beach at every visit, this includes assessments of sewage debris, litter and tar. At Low Newton for the four year (2015-2018) 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 50% of visits. Tarry residue was not noted at this site.
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The natural drainage (hydrological) catchment surrounding the bathing water is approximately 22 square kilometres. The catchment is relatively flat and comprises mainly of mixed farming. There are a number of small communities within the catchment the majority of which have private sewage treatment arrangements.
