There are a small number of storm and emergency outfalls into the Ingoldmells Main
Drain. These are designed to operate infrequently during emergencies or 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 help make
improvements to their sewerage infrastructure in and around Ingoldmells. 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 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 9% 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 2% 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.
The Environment Agency makes a daily pollution risk forecast at this site based on
the effects of rain, 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 cause a temporary reduction in water quality, we will
issue a pollution risk warning on this website. Water quality will 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 2 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.
Ingoldmells Sewage Treatment Works discharges its flow to a long sea outfall 1.5km
from the shore. Improvements were made to Ingoldmells Sewage Treatment Works by Anglian
Water in 2001.
The treated sewage from this sewage treatment works does 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 Ingoldmells
South for the four year (2020-2023) assessment period where data is available, sewage
debris was not noted at this site. Litter was assessed as being sufficient to be objectionable
for 2% of visits, with 81% of visits noting the presence of litter. Tarry residue
was not noted at this site.
Ingoldmells Main Drain flows into the sea towards the north of the beach. This drains
the Ingoldmells rural catchment and also takes run-off from the urban areas of Ingoldmells.
There are caravan parks nearby.
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 role of the Environment Agency 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.
