2019 Bathing Water Profile for West Beach, Whitstable
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West Beach is situated at Whitstable on the North Kent coast. The gently sloping shingle beach is intersected by wooden groynes and affords plenty of shallow water as the tide drops. The beach is popular with water sports enthusiasts.
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Canterbury
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Kent
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There are no emergency/storm overflows to the bathing water. There is an emergency/storm overflow at the Gorrell outfall 1.8 km northeast of the bathing water sampling point, which may discharge in an emergency or if the sewer system becomes overwhelmed after heavy rainfall. This discharge is designed to protect bathing water compliance.
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Swalecliffe Long Sea Outfall (5.5 km north east of the bathing water) was upgraded to further treatment in 2001 and later received ultraviolet disinfection to protect shellfish water quality.
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2019 Bathing Water Profile for West Beach, Whitstable
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For the four year (2015-2018) assessment period where data is available, seaweed (macroalgae) was assessed as being sufficient to be objectionable for 2% of visits, with 89% of visits noting the presence of seaweed (macroalgae). The bathing water 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.
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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.
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For the four year (2015-2018) 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 1% of visits. 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. 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.
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2019 Bathing Water Profile for West Beach, Whitstable
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2019-09-30
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2019-05-01
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This bathing water beach often has patches of seaweed (macroalgae) and the bathing water can be affected by occasional blooms of phytoplankton (microscopic algae) which are not harmful, but can result in the water appearing discoloured or as 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.
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Bathing water quality can be affected by the Gorrell stream mixing with seawater in the harbour area to the North East, particularly after heavy rainfall.
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There are no riverine inputs into the bathing water but the Gorrell stream, which receives sewage and storm/emergency overflows, inputs into Whitstable Harbour just northeast of the bathing water. The mouth of the Swale (which separates the Isle of Sheppey from the mainland) is a few km to the west.
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Swalecliffe Long Sea Outfall discharges further treated, ultraviolet disinfected sewage effluent 5.5 km northeast of the bathing water sampling point. This outfall is unlikely to affect West Beach bathing water due to its distance away; nevertheless the ultraviolet treatment that was installed to protect shellfish water quality affords additional protection to bathing water quality.
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Environment Agency samplers make observations of litter present on the beach at every visit, this includes assessments of sewage debris, litter and tar. At West Beach, Whitstable for the four year (2015-2018) 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 60% of visits. Tarry residue was not noted at this site.
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The natural drainage (hydrological) catchment surrounding the bathing water is approximately 400 hectares. The catchment is predominantly urban and suburban, comprising the town of Whitstable.
