Rutland Water is situated in the County of Rutland, and is a popular location for
watersports, walking and cycling. Sykes Lane Bathing Beach is a sandy beach on the
North East shore of the lake, between the villages of Whitwell and Empingham.
There is an overflow associated with Oakham sewage treatment works. This is designed
to operate only during heay rainfall or emergencies to prevent sewer flooding. Improvements
are due to take place by March 2025, to reduce storm spills from Oakham.
For the one year (2023) 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 23% of visits.
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.
Oakham sewage treatment works discharges into the western side of Rutland Water, approximately
6km from the bathing water. More stringent quality limits are due to be added to this
permit by 2025.
Environment Agency samplers make observations of litter present on the beach at every
visit, this includes assessments of sewage debris, litter and tar. At Rutland Water
Sykes Lane for the one year (2023) assessment period where data is available, sewage
debris was not noted at this site. Litter was assessed as being sufficient to be objectionable
for 5% of visits, with 46% of visits noting the presence of litter. Tarry residue
was not noted at this site.
The Environment Agency works with business and industry to reduce and prevent pollution.
There are no significant industrial areas in the catchments upstream of Rutland Water.
Sykes Lane Bathing Beach is on the North East side of Rutland Water. The two main
watercourses which flow into Rutland Water are the North and South Gwash. The catchment
of the South Gwash is mostly rural, with a mixed landscape of woodland, arable and
livestock agriculture. The North Gwash catchment also has some rural areas, but also
contains the town of Oakham.
As well as being a site for recreation and water sports, Rutland Water also has a
number of conservation designations, being an important site for a number of bird
species and is a site of special scientific interest (SSSI).
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. 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.
