Danes Dyke, is a small rural chalk cobbled beach situated on the Yorkshire coast.
It is at the southern end of Danes Dyke, a three mile long earth ditch which crosses
the whole width of the Flamborough Headland. The beach is 230 metres in length and
is surrounded by high chalk cliffs.
The Environment Agency regularly carry out investigations to identify sources of pollution
in the catchment. The Environment Agency do this by monitoring the quality of streams
and visiting sites. The Environment Agency give advice on compliance with regulations
and good practice as appropriate.
For the four year (2020-2023) assessment period where data is available, seaweed (macroalgae)
was assessed as being sufficient to be objectionable for 19% of visits, with 78% of
visits noting the presence of seaweed (macroalgae). Environment Agency research suggests
the bathing water is not subject to an excess 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 (2020-2023) assessment period where data is available, phytoplankton
(microscopic algae) was not noted at this site. Phytoplankton (microscopic algae)
naturally increase in number at certain times of the year. This process is known as
a phytoplankton bloom. The 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 active pollution risk forecasts made at this bathing water. However any
bathing water has the potential to be affected by a pollution incident and if this
occurs a pollution risk warning with associated advice against bathing will be issued
on this website.
Streams are typically affected by waste entering the watercourse from further up the
catchment. These pollutants in the surface water runoff are washed down to the bathing
beach which may sometimes result in reduced water quality.
There is no outfall discharging directly into the bathing water. However, treated
effluent from Flamborough Sewage Treatment Works may affect bathing water compliance
at Danes Dyke. The treated effluent discharges into the sea from an outfall pipe 700
metres to the east of the bathing beach. The sewage treatment works was built in 2002
to ensure all effluents are treated and disinfected to protect the bathing water quality.
Yorkshire Water has made improvements on Flamborough Sewage Treatment Works to reduce
the amount of storm effluent being discharged into the sea. This was completed in
spring 2014 and will help improve 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 Danes Dyke,
Flamborough for the four year (2020-2023) 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 10% of visits. Tarry residue
was not assessed as being sufficient to be objectionable, but was observed as being
present on 16% of visits.
The Yorkshire Bathing Water Partnership is working together to ensure Yorkshire's
bathing beaches meet or go beyond the requirements of the revised Bathing Water Directive
in 2015. The Partnership comprises the Environment Agency, East Riding of Yorkshire
Council, North Yorkshire Council and Yorkshire Water.
An area of 15 square kilometres (known as the hydrological catchment) drains into
the bathing water. One small stream runs through the catchment which begins at the
village of Bempton and runs south-eastwards crossing arable farmland and woodland
before finally draining onto the bathing beach. The stream is often dry during summer
months.
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's 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.
