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2019 Bathing Water Profile for Spittal

http://environment.data.gov.uk/data/bathing-water-profile/ukc2102-03600/2019:1

pollution risk forecasting true more like this
season finish date less than 2019-09-30more like thismore than 2019-09-30
season start date less than 2019-05-01more like thismore than 2019-05-01
sampling frequency 20 less than 20more like thismore than 20
bathing water description Spittal Beach is a gently sloping resort beach approximately one kilometre long situated immediately south of the mouth of the River Tweed. more like this
controller name Northumberland more like this
county name Northumberland more like this
eso outfalls statement A combined sewer overflow (CSO) which could discharge onto the beach during heavy rainfall was removed in early 2012. Other CSOs discharge to the estuary and contribute to pollution at the bathing water when river flows are high during wet weather. more like this
history statement Since 1995, the Environment Agency have worked closely with Northumbrian Water to identify and deliver significant investment in the sewage infrastructure around this bathing water. Most recently, an investigation by Northumbrian water into the effects of their systems on bathing water quality has led to improvements at 2 CSOs. more like this
investigations statement The Environment Agency's investigations have been aimed at identifying non water company sources of pollution that may be affecting the bathing water so that we can implement measures to address them. We believe that agricultural sources in the Tweed catchment may be significant, particularly in wet weather, although we have not found evidence pointing to any particularly important source. more like this
macro algae statement For the four year (2015-2018) assessment period where data is available, seaweed (macroalgae) was not assessed as being sufficient to be objectionable, but was observed as being present on 98% of visits. Environment Agency research suggests this bathing water does not have a history of large amounts of seaweed (macro algae). more like this
misconnections statement 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. more like this
phytoplankton statement For the four year (2015-2018) assessment period where data is available, phytoplankton (microscopic algae) was not assessed as being sufficient to be objectionable, but was observed as being present on 2% of visits. 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. more like this
pollution risk forecast statement This bathing water is subject to short term pollution. Short term pollution is caused when heavy rainfall or high tides wash faecal material into the sea from livestock, sewage and urban drainage via rivers and streams. At this site the risk of encountering reduced water quality increases after rainfall and typically returns to normal after 1-3 days. The Environment Agency makes daily pollution risk forecasts based on rainfall and tidal patterns and will issue a pollution risk warning if high tides or heavy rainfall occurs to enable bathers to avoid periods of increased risk. The Environment Agency works to reduce the sources of this pollution through pollution prevention measures, work with agriculture and water companies. 18 warnings advising against swimming due to an increase risk of short term pollution were issued in 2018 for Spittal bathing water. These warnings were issued because of the effects of heavy rain on the water quality. more like this
streams rivers statement The Tweed Estuary discharges to the sea at the north end of the bathing water. Diffuse run off from agricultural land and upstream settlements affects the bacteriological quality of the river. After heavy rain, this can have a short-term impact on bathing water quality. High river flows also shorten residence times in the estuary, exacerbating the impact of discharges from the sewerage system in and around Berwick. more like this
stw outfalls statement Sewage from Berwick, Spittal and Tweedmouth is treated at a sewage works that discharges to the Tweed estuary to the west of the town. more like this
version string 1 more like this
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 Spittal 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 94% of visits. Tarry residue was not noted at this site. more like this
working with farmers statement The catchment of the River Tweed is largely agricultural with a mixture of arable and livestock farming. During and after periods of heavy rainfall, runoff from agricultural areas will be greatly increased. The quality of the bathing water may be adversely affected as a result of such events. The limited data collected on sources of bacteria suggests that livestock may be a significant source, particularly when river flows are high. We have engaged with the local farming community but livestock numbers in the local catchment are low suggesting a more diffuse contribution from a wider catchment. more like this
zoi description The River Tweed rises over 100km to the west and drains a catchment of approx 4000 sq km. The lower part of the catchment which influences bathing water quality is predominantly devoted to arable and livestock farming. The historic town of Berwick-upon-Tweed and its satellites, Spittal and Tweedmouth, lie at the mouth of the estuary. more like this
bathing water
Spittal
country England more like this
sampling point
Sampling point at Spittal
easting 400800
northing 651500
lat 55.756856682381226
long -1.988831300159957
local authority Northumberland more like this
season interval
P152DT23H59M59S
beginning
2019-05-01T00:00:00
in XSD date time less than 2019-05-01T00:00:00more like thismore than 2019-05-01T00:00:00
end
2019-09-30T23:59:59
in XSD date time less than 2019-09-30T23:59:59more like thismore than 2019-09-30T23:59:59
source row=0002
standard language collection
2019-03600:1
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. more like this
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. more like this
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. more like this
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. more like this
stw outfalls general statement Discharges from sewage treatment works have improved substantially in England since the 1980s. more like this
web res image ukc2102-03600_1-webres.jpg