There are no emergency or storm discharges directly to the bathing water nor adjacent
to it. However, in wet weather, storm discharges to the Tyne Estuary can cause some
deterioration of water quality.
The sewerage system in South Shields has directed flows to outfalls in the Tyne Estuary
and away from the beach. In the late 1970s/1980s, an interceptor sewer was built to
take sewage to a new treatment works at Howdon.
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 18% of visits. Environment Agency research suggests this bathing water
does not have a history of large amounts of seaweed (macro algae).
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.
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.
There are no streams or rivers which discharge directly on to the bathing beach however,
in wet weather, storm discharges to the Tyne estuary can cause some deterioration
of water quality.
In 2000, the treatment works at Howdon was upgraded to provide a higher level of treatment
and disinfection using ultraviolet light. The location of the outfall and the level
of treatment mean that this discharge now has no perceptible impact on bathing water
quality.
Environment Agency samplers make observations of litter present on the beach at every
visit, this includes assessments of sewage debris, litter and tar. At South Shields
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 8% of visits. Tarry residue was not noted at
this site.
The beach is close to the mouth of the River Tyne, which has a catchment of approximately
3000 square kilometres. It rises in Pennine moorland, draining a largely agricultural
catchment before reaching the sea via an urban/industrial estuary. There are no local
streams that can affect bathing water quality and the Tyne is deflected away from
the beach by the piers at its mouth.
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 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 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.