Bournemouth Manor Steps forms part of the 15 kilometre coastline of Poole Bay on the
Dorset coast. It is a sandy beach resort, approximately one kilometre wide, backed
by the promenade and beach huts. Behind the beach is Poole bay cliffs SSSI.
There are two overflows in the vicinity of the bathing water, Boscombe No.1 pumping
station is approximately 780 m from the Environment Agency monitoring point and Bournemouth
Fisherman's Walk sewer overflow is approximately 1.2 km from the monitoring point.
The operation of these overflows are designed to protect bathing water quality.
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 70% of visits. This bathing water does not have a history of large amounts
of seaweed (macro algae). However groynes and rocks, platforms or other fixed objects
may develop 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 assessed as being sufficient to be objectionable for 2% of
visits, with 7% of visits noting the presence of phytoplankton (microscopic algae).
Phytoplankton (microscopic algae) naturally increase in number at certain times of
the year. This process is known as a phytoplankton bloom. This bathing water does
not have a history of phytoplankton blooms.
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.
Sewage from the Bournemouth area is pumped to Holdenhurst (Bournemouth) STW. The outfall
from Holdenhurst STW discharges to the River Stour, north of Bournemouth. This discharge
is disinfected and designed to protect bathing water quality.
Environment Agency samplers make observations of litter present on the beach at every
visit, this includes assessments of sewage debris, litter and tar. At Bournemouth
Manor Steps for the four year (2020-2023) assessment period where data is available,
sewage debris was not assessed as being sufficient to be objectionable, but was observed
as being present on 2% of visits. Litter was assessed as being sufficient to be objectionable
for 3% of visits, with 83% of visits noting the presence of litter. Tarry residue
was not noted at this site.
The catchment surrounding Bournemouth Manor Steps is approximately 31 hectares, and
is urban/residential. There are no streams which drain directly to 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's 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.