There is a short storm and emergency sewer outfall to south west of the beach which
may operate in exceptionally heavy rainfall or under emergency conditions. 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/
No specific investigations have been required at this beach but it has benefited from
studies at Clacton and Frinton/Walton. Clacton (Holland Haven) Sewage Treatment Works
was upgraded by Anglian Water in 2001 which helped to protect bathing water quality.
For the four year (2020-2023) assessment period where data is available, seaweed (macroalgae)
was assessed as being sufficient to be objectionable for 2% of visits, with 82% of
visits noting the presence of seaweed (macroalgae). 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.
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 and wind 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 3 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.
The Holland Brook enters the sea close to the beach and may be a source of reduced
water quality following heavy rainfall. During dry weather there is minimal flow from
the brook via the sluice.
Clacton discharges to the North Sea via a 1 km long sea outfall next to the beach.
However, this discharge does not affect bathing water compliance at Holland.
Environment Agency samplers make observations of litter present on the beach at every
visit, this includes assessments of sewage debris, litter and tar. At Holland for
the four year (2020-2023) assessment period where data is available, sewage debris
was not assessed as being sufficient to be objectionable, but was observed as being
present on 2% of visits. Litter was not assessed as being sufficient to be objectionable,
but was observed as being present on 15% of visits. Tarry residue was not noted at
this site.
Holland is within the Stour and Colne Catchment Sensitive Farming area. This is a
partnership between Natural England and the Environment Agency. Its aim is to work
with farmers to enhance farming practices and reduce run off from farmlands.
The Kirby and Holland brooks flow through rural catchments and enter the sea close
to this bathing water. This is mainly an arable catchment but a small number of livestock
are also present. A small amount of urban drainage also enters a tributary of the
Holland Brook.
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.
