Cromer is a popular resort on the North Norfolk coast. The beach has a promenade behind
and the town on low cliffs above. The designated bathing beach is sand and shingle,
backed by sandy cliffs and close to the pier. Rock pools are revealed at low tide.
The appearance of the beach can vary rapidly during storm events resulting in significant
changes to the build-up of sand next to the sea wall.
Storm water arising in the town is contained within a large storage tank and pumped
for treatment when capacity becomes available. In extreme storm conditions (approx
once in five years) excess storm sewage is discharged and could cause a reduction
in bathing water quality. There are a number of pipes that discharge surface water
and highway drainage onto the beach during periods of rainfall, which may lead to
reduced water quality. 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/
The Environment Agency and Anglian Water have worked closely together to make improvements
in the sewerage infrastructure in order to improve bathing water quality. The long
sea outfall serving the area was built in 1995 and replaced a number short sea outfalls
at Cromer, and other nearby resorts. Separate pipes allow the release of surface water
drainage on to the beach during rainfall.
The Environment Agency has worked with the water companies, local authorities and
others to investigate any sources of contamination and to improve water quality. This
has included investigations into reduced water quality and the identification of sewerage
infrastructure improvements.
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 55% of visits. This bathing water does not have a history of large amounts
of seaweed (macro algae). However groynes and rocks, platforms or other fixed objects
may develop a covering of seaweed which can be slippery.
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.
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.
The Sewage Treatment Works serving Cromer were upgraded in 2001 to protect bathing
water quality. This sewage works discharges to the North Sea via a 2km long sea outfall
off West Runton and does not affect compliance at this bathing water.
Environment Agency samplers make observations of litter present on the beach at every
visit, this includes assessments of sewage debris, litter and tar. At Cromer 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 21% of visits. Tarry residue was not noted at
this 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.