The bathing water is a resort beach on the north Kent coast close to Herne Bay town
centre. The bathing water is predominantly a groyned, shingle beach but with some
sand exposed at low water. A promenade sits above the beach along with grassed areas
behind.
There is a storm overflow that discharges 600m offshore (Kings Hall storm overflow)
and a storm overflow (Gainsborough Drive storm overflow) that discharges into a stream
(Bishopstone Glen) 350m inland from the bathing water. Another storm overflow discharges
into the Plenty Brook but this is 1.5km inland. Discharges from these storm overflows
occur when heavy rainfall overwhelms the sewerage system but they are designed not
to affect bathing water compliance.
There is a surface water outfall onto the beach (Canterbury Road). Several other small
surface water pipes drain to the beach through the promenade. Reduced water quality
may persist in the area adjacent to the outfalls for some time after rainfall has
occurred.
Prior to 2001, treated sewage was discharged from Swalecliffe long sea outfall 4.5
km from the bathing water. In 2001 Swalecliffe sewage treatment works was upgraded
and the effluent is now treated to further standard and ultraviolet (UV) disinfection
before being discharged through the long sea outfall.
In 1999, the Environment Agency undertook a wet weather survey of the surface water
drains in the vicinity of the bathing water. No large sources of contamination were
identified.
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 98% of visits. 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.
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 noted at this site. 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.
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, wind and seasonality 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.
There are two small streams (Plenty Brook and Bishopstone Glen as shown on the bathing
water map) that enter at the west and east extent of the bathing water respectively.
The streams drain surface water from the surrounding urban area, this can lead to
reduced water quality after rainfall.
To the east of the bathing water there are low-lying marshes at approximately sea
level protected by a sea wall. There are three outfalls that drain small streams into
the sea controlled by sluice gates. The closest outfall drain is over 4km from the
EC bathing water sampling point. This is unlikely to affect water quality at the 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 Herne 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 73% of visits. Tarry residue was not noted at
this site.
The bathing water is situated in a low lying area. The natural drainage (hydrological)
catchment surrounding the bathing water is approximately 1110 hectares. This includes
the catchments of two small streams (Plenty Brook and Bishopstone Glen as shown on
the bathing water map) that enter at the west and east extent of the bathing water.
The bathing water catchment comprises the local urban area and some of the wider surrounding
area which is predominantly rural.
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.
