Anglian Water has made improvements to storm overflows and repaired leaks in the sewers.
The Environment Agency previously carried out an investigation into all the storm
overflows in the town. The Environment Agency found their structure was generally
good and they operated correctly. These all combine into one overflow in George Street
which may occasionally operate after heavy rainfall. This bathing water is included
in the Surfers Against Sewage “Safer Seas Service”. This service can alert you to
Combined Storm Sewer Overflow discharges via a phone App and in addition, it includes
the Environment Agency Pollution Risk Forecast warnings where they are available.
Further details of the service can be found at - http://www.sas.org.uk/safer-seas-service/
Anglian Water has worked with the Environment Agency over a long period to make improvements
in sewerage infrastructure in and around Mablethorpe. This has contributed towards
major improvements in bathing water quality.
The Environment Agency works closely with water companies, local authorities and others
to investigate any sources of contamination and to improve water quality at this bathing
water.
The Environment Agency work with East Lindsey District Council to identify and rectify
misconnections in the drainage and sewerage systems in the local area. The council
already carries out maintenance and cleaning of car park areas to reduce contaminated
water getting into surface water drains and other watercourses.
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 10% of visits. This bathing water does not have a history of large amounts
of seaweed (macro algae). The beach is sandy.
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 assessed as being sufficient to be objectionable, but
was observed as being present on 3% of visits. 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.
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.
Mablethorpe Sewage Treatment Works was upgraded by Anglian Water in 1995, and Ultra
Violet disinfection was put in place to protect the quality of the bathing water.
Alford Sewage Treatment Works and Strubby Sewage Treatment Works discharge treated
sewage to the Woldgrift drain, both of these Sewage Treatment Works are small.
These sewage treatment works do not affect bathing water compliance.
Environment Agency samplers make observations of litter present on the beach at every
visit, this includes assessments of sewage debris, litter and tar. At Mablethorpe
Town 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 19% of visits. Tarry residue
was not noted at this site.
The Environment Agency works with farmers to promote best practice and reduce potential
sources of contamination. Part of the catchment area around Mablethorpe is within
a Catchment Sensitive Farming Medium Priority area. Catchment Sensitive Farming (CSF)
is a partnership between Defra, the Environment Agency and Natural England. It works
with farmers to reduce water pollution from agriculture.
The Woldgrift Drain and Trusthorpe Pump Drain flow through largely rural catchments
near to Mablethorpe. The Woldgrift drain and Trusthorpe drain outflow to the sea 1.5km
to the south of Mablethorpe Beach. Another drain, The Cut, outfalls close to the bathing
water monitoring site.
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.
