Wilsthorpe Beach is a rural sandy beach on the east Yorkshire coast to the south of
the bathing water at Bridlington South Bay. It is 1.4 kilometres in length with a
gentle slope. At low tide a large area of the beach is exposed and the water's edge
can be some distance away.
Bathing water quality may sometimes be affected by storm, emergency and surface water
outfalls. Storm overflows may operate during and following periods of heavy rainfall
when the sewer system becomes overwhelmed by the amount of surface water entering.
The overflows prevent sewage from backing up pipes and flooding properties.
There are no storm overflows discharging directly into the bathing water at Wilsthorpe.
However, there are several storm overflows to the north including one emergency short
sea outfall and a new long-sea storm outfall that discharge into Bridlington South
Bay. When these overflows operate, they discharge diluted and screened effluent into
the sea. While the operation of these outfalls can still result in a decline in the
bathing water quality, the impacts are likely to be much less than previous years.
The Environment Agency works with the water companies, local authorities and others
to investigate any sources of contamination and to improve water quality at local
bathing waters.
For the four year (2020-2023) assessment period where data is available, seaweed (macroalgae)
was not assessed as being sufficient to be objectionable, but was observed as being
present on 22% of visits. 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. TheEnvironment 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.
This bathing water is subject to short term pollution procedures. The Environment
Agency makes a daily pollution risk forecast at this site based on the effects of
rain, tide, wind and seasonality on bathing water quality. These factors affect the
levels of bacteria that get washed into the sea from livestock, sewage and urban drainage
via rivers and streams and how they disperse.
When these factors combine to make short term pollution likely we issue a pollution
risk warning on this website and the beach manager will display a sign advising against
bathing at the bathing water. After a short term pollution event, levels of bacteria
typically return to normal after a day or so but it's possible to have several warning
days in a row. Details of the work to reduce the sources of bacteria at this bathing
water are detailed in this profile.
In 2023 12 pollution risk warnings were issued for this bathing water.
All bathing waters have the potential to be affected by a pollution incident and if
this occurs a pollution risk warning will be issued with associated advice against
bathing on this website.
There are no outfalls discharging directly into the bathing water. However, treated
effluents from Bridlington Sewage Treatment Works may affect bathing water compliance
at Wilsthorpe Beach. The sewage treatment works was built in 2000 to ensure effluents
are treated and disinfected to protect the bathing water quality and treated effluent
is discharged via a long sea outfall into the North Sea in Bridlington South Bay.
Environment Agency samplers make observations of litter present on the beach at every
visit, this includes assessments of sewage debris, litter and tar. At Wilsthorpe 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 32% of visits. Tarry residue was not assessed
as being sufficient to be objectionable, but was observed as being present on 79%
of visits.
There is no industry in the Wilsthorpe catchment. However, there is an industrial
estate in the catchment of Fraisthorpe Beach to the south. At present, the Environment
Agency are uncertain whether pollutants coming from the Fraisthorpe catchment have
an affect on the bathing water compliance at Wilsthorpe. Although the tests conducted
to date have not identified any obvious impact, the Environment Agency will continue
with their investigations as issues arise and implement remedial actions with those
responsible.
The Yorkshire Bathing Water Partnership is working together to ensure Yorkshire's
bathing beaches meet or go beyond the requirements of the revised 2015 Bathing Water
Directive. The Partnership comprises the Environment Agency, East Riding of Yorkshire
Council, North Yorkshire Council and Yorkshire Water.
A tactical group comprising officers from all organisations meets on a regular basis
to discuss issues, actions and potential resolutions at all our coastal bathing waters.
An area of 0.01 square kilometres (known as the hydrological catchment) drains into
the bathing water. There are no freshwater streams within the catchment, the natural
drainage catchment is made up of surface water runoff from the cliffs. The bathing
water is surrounded by two other bathing waters, Bridlington South Beach to the north
and Fraisthorpe Beach to the south and may be impacted by the same issues as those
affecting the surrounding beaches.
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.
