|
|
|
bathing water description |
Askam bathing water is an extremely flat beach, with shingle and sandy areas, accessed
by steps from the top of a small cliff. There is a small area of salt marsh behind
the beach. At high tide, a small stretch of mostly shingle beach is visible. A larger
expanse of sand, stretching into the Duddon estuary, is exposed at low tide.
|
![more like this](/lda-assets/images/grey/16x16/Search.png) |
county name |
Cumbria |
![more like this](/lda-assets/images/grey/16x16/Search.png) |
eso outfalls statement |
There are a number of improvements planned to emergency and storm overflows that will
improve bathing water quality. These include improvements to the storm overflow from
Millom Sewage Treatment Works and the King Street Pumping Station by 2013. There are
two surface water outfalls located just to the north of Askam village designed to
release clean surface water.
|
![more like this](/lda-assets/images/grey/16x16/Search.png) |
history statement |
A number of improvements have been made to outfalls to improve bathing water quality.
Directly to the north of the bathing water the disinfection treatment at Askam Sewage
Treatment Works was upgraded by United Utilities in 2003. Improvements were also made
to the storm flow treatment at the sewage treatment works and upstream within the
sewer network. These improvements will have helped improve bathing water quality.
To the east of Askam improvements have been made by United Utilities to Millom Sewage
Treatment Works in 1996 with further improvements in 2003 to ensure the discharge
is treated and disinfected.
Further north of Askam, Soutergate Sewage Treatment Works was upgraded by United Utilities
in 2003 to ensure the discharge is treated and disinfected, as well as improving the
treatment of storm flows. Four sewage discharges at Kirkby were transferred to Soutergate
Sewage Treatment Works in 2003 to improve bathing water quality.
Two discharges in the Broughton area (Broughton-in-Furness Sewage Treatment Works
and Skellow Crag Sewage Treatment Works) were upgraded to improve sewage treatment
and to improve treatment of storm flows, with a further discharge at Foxfield transferred
to Broughton-in-Furness Sewage Treatment Works in 2003. Upgrades to the sewer network
in Broughton were also made to protect bathing water quality. Storage for sewage flows
was provided at Willowside storm overflow at Haverigg in 2000 to protect bathing water
quality.
|
|
investigations statement |
In 1999, the Environment Agency carried out a study of the Duddon Estuary to assess
discharges into the estuary that could impact on bathing water quality. This resulted
in improvements at a number of locations in the estuary, which have improved bathing
water quality.
In 2006, the Duddon Estuary was assessed under the Improving Coastal and Recreational
Waters for All project, which aimed to tackle diffuse pollution from agriculture.
Although the project was focussed on the Haverigg bathing water, to the east of Askam-in-Furness
across the estuary, actions taken on the Duddon Estuary have also improved bathing
water quality at Askam.
In 2007 United Utilities, with the Environment Agency support, completed a study of
the Duddon Estuary. The study found that improvements to the storm tanks at Millom
Sewage Treatment Works and the King Street Pumping Station, both operated by United
Utilities, were needed to improve bathing water quality. The study also showed that
the River Duddon can influence bathing water quality at Askam.
The Environment Agency recently introduced a DNA identification technique that helps
to show whether sources of pollution are human or animal. In 2008 and 2009 this method
was used at the three bathing waters in the Duddon Estuary, including Askam. The results
showed that agricultural run off has a significant impact on bathing water quality
in the estuary.
In 2011, the Environment Agency surveyed streams and rivers in this area to identify
sources of contamination. The Environment Agency will be following up the findings
to improve bathing water quality. Between January and March 2012 the Environment Agency
also surveyed surface water drains in this area to identify any sources of contamination.
The Environment Agency are working with United Utilities, the local authority and
householders to resolve any issues.
|
|
macro algae statement |
This bathing water does not have a history of large amounts of seaweed (macroalgae). |
![more like this](/lda-assets/images/grey/16x16/Search.png) |
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](/lda-assets/images/grey/16x16/Search.png) |
phytoplankton statement |
Phytoplankton (microscopic algae) naturally increase in number at certain times of
the year. This process is known as a phytoplankton bloom. This bathing water does
not have a history of phytoplankton blooms.
|
![more like this](/lda-assets/images/grey/16x16/Search.png) |
version string |
1 |
![more like this](/lda-assets/images/grey/16x16/Search.png) |
zoi description |
The bathing water is located on the east side of the Duddon estuary in South West
Cumbria. The land in the catchment is mainly used for agriculture with numerous livestock
farms. Askam-in-Furness village, which is on the Cumbrian Coastal Walk, lies to the
south of the bathing water.
|
![more like this](/lda-assets/images/grey/16x16/Search.png) |
bathing water |
|
local authority |
Barrow-in-Furness District (B) |
![more like this](/lda-assets/images/grey/16x16/Search.png) |
source |
line=000130 |
|
standard language collection |
2013:1
|
|
|
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](/lda-assets/images/grey/16x16/Search.png) |
eso outfalls general statement |
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.
|
![more like this](/lda-assets/images/grey/16x16/Search.png) |
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](/lda-assets/images/grey/16x16/Search.png) |
pollution management general statement |
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.
|
![more like this](/lda-assets/images/grey/16x16/Search.png) |
stw outfalls general statement |
Discharges from sewage treatment works have improved substantially in England and
Wales since the 1980s.
|
![more like this](/lda-assets/images/grey/16x16/Search.png) |
|
web res image |
ukd1102-44590_1-webres.jpg |
|