The Men's Pond is a former reservoir situated on the eastern side of Hampstead Heath.
There is no beach, but there is a sunbathing area in the changing facilities. Access
to the 18,290 square metre swimming area is via a 25 metre long platform.
The Environment Agency monitoring found occasional problems with faecal pollution
in this bathing water, so in 2009 the Environment Agency introduced a DNA tracing
technique that helps us identify whether the source was human or animal. This enables
us to target further investigations and to identify appropriate courses of corrective
action. Following reduced water quality results in 2009 and 2010 this technique was
used, however findings were inconclusive.
The misconnection of foul drainage to surface water may potentially affect the water
quality of the Men's pond. If the Environment Agency investigations indicate that
reduced water quality is caused by misconnected foul drainage the Environment Agency
will work with the local authorities and Thames Water to investigate and rectify the
problem.
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 assessed as being sufficient to be objectionable for 2% of
visits, with 29% of visits noting the presence of phytoplankton (microscopic algae).
Phytoplankton (microscopic algae) increase in number at certain times of the year.
This process is known as a phytoplankton bloom. Blooms of phytoplankton can result
in the water appearing discoloured or a foam forming on the water. If you observe
a suspected bloom you are advised to not enter the water and to contact your local
authority health contact for help and advice.
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.
Most of the streams that feed the ponds on the eastern side of Hampstead Heath rise
within one kilometre of the bathing water and the Environment Agency therefore consider
them in any relevant investigations.
Environment Agency samplers make observations of litter present on the beach at every
visit, this includes assessments of sewage debris, litter and tar. At Hampstead Heath
(Mens Pond) 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 25% of visits. Tarry residue
was not noted at this site.
The Men's Pond is fed by a series of six upstream ponds, which are in turn fed by
several springs to the south of Kenwood House. The catchment is predominantly parkland
consisting of woods and grassland, but also includes part of the urban area of Dartmouth
Park.
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.
