Viking Bay bathing water could be affected by discharges from storm overflows that
can occur when heavy rainfall overwhelms the sewerage system. The Winterstoke storm
overflow at Ramsgate is more than 3 km to the south and the North Foreland storm overflow
is offshore 4 km to the north east. These outfalls are designed to protect bathing
water compliance.
Prior to March 2007 there was a screened crude sewage discharge from the North Foreland
5 km long sea outfall. There was also a storm discharge from a 400 metres outfall
from the same pumping station. In March 2007 the North Foreland long sea outfall became
a high frequency storm overflow and the short outfall was converted to an emergency
outfall. Sewage flows were diverted to full treatment (including UV disinfection)
at Weatherlees sewage treatment works before being discharged via the Margate long
sea outfall.
The adjacent Broadstairs Viking Bay bathing water failed standards in 2004, a series
of investigations were carried out between 2004 and 2007, and in 2015. Many potential
sources of contamination were investigated which pointed to the fact that the surface
water outfall is the source of contamination, although levels of contamination are
comparable with other similar systems. It is likely that diffuse sources typical of
an urban catchment all contribute to the contamination. Measures to reduce contamination
in the surface water system are on-going.
For the four year (2018-2021) assessment period where data is available, seaweed (macroalgae)
was not assessed as being sufficient to be objectionable, but was observed as being
present on 80% 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 (2018-2021) assessment period where data is available, phytoplankton
(microscopic algae) was assessed as being sufficient to be objectionable for 2% of
visits, with 2% 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.
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.
Weatherlees sewage treatment works discharges via the Margate long sea outfall over
5km to the north. This outfall is designed to protect bathing water compliance.
Environment Agency samplers make observations of litter present on the beach at every
visit, this includes assessments of sewage debris, litter and tar. At Broadstairs,
Stone Bay for the four year (2018-2021) 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 74% of visits. Tarry residue
was not noted at this site.
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.