At the eastern tip of the Isle of Wight, Whitecliffe Bay is famous for the well-exposed
sedimentary rock sequence which yields an abundance of fossils. The mostly sandy beach
slopes gently up to the base of the cliffs. At the southern end there is a rock ledge.
Sandown sewage treatment works long sea outfall was commissioned in 2001 and flows
diverted to it from short outfalls at Bembridge and Sandown. further treatment was
installed at Sandown sewage treatment works prior to 2003.
Effluent from the short Sandown outfall used to affect this bathing water. Water quality
modelling indicated that the Bembridge short outfall was the probable cause of an
exceedance of standards during the 2000 bathing season. Water quality drastically
improved in 2001 when the Sandown long sea outfall was commissioned and flows were
diverted from the Bembridge and Sandown short outfalls. Occasionally samples have
failed mandatory levels, but investigations have never found a bathing water pollution
source.
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 66% of visits. The shore can become covered with seaweed, depending on
tides and the weather. Groynes, rocks and other fixed objects may have 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 10% of visits. Microscopic algae (phytoplankton)
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.
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 Sandown sewage treatment works long sea outfall, about 4 km to the south of this
bathing water, is designed to ensure that the bathing water is protected.
Environment Agency samplers make observations of litter present on the beach at every
visit, this includes assessments of sewage debris, litter and tar. At Whitecliff Bay
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 22% of visits. Tarry residue was not noted at
this site.
The natural drainage (hydrological) catchment surrounding the bathing water is about
30 hectares. The majority of the land in the catchment is chalk downland with a caravan
park above the beach.
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.
