Lyme Regis Church Cliff Beach is a small sandy beach situated on the Dorset coast
to the east of the River Lim. This bathing water was originally designated in 1988
and de-designated in 2016 due to low numbers of people bathing. In 2024 this site
was re-designated.
The storm/emergency overflow from the Gun Cliff pumping station, discharges 200m west
of the Environment Agency monitoring point. There are also a number of storm overflows
that discharge to the River Lim. The overflows can lead to a drop in bathing water
quality after heavy rainfall.
In the past the bathing water was affected by untreated discharges to the River Lim
and from a short untreated outfall at the Cobb. The scheme for sewage treatment at
Lyme Regis was completed by South West Water in early 1995. Sewage is treated to a
tertiary standard with ultraviolet (UV) disinfection at Lyme Regis (Uplyme) sewage
treatment works (STW), and discharged through a 600m outfall to the sea. Extensive
sewerage improvements were also carried out at that time. Several combined sewer overflows
(CSO) to the River Lim were removed in 2001.
Repairs to a leaking sewer manhole, adjacent to the river, were completed in 2013.
Further improvements to the CSOs and sewerage infrastructure in Lyme Regis and Uplyme
are in progress. The Environment Agency will make continue to recommend improvements
to protect and improve the bathing water quality.
The River Lim flows into the sea close to the bathing water and can impact on bathing
water quality under certain conditions of tide and river flow. Investigations by the
Environment Agency indicate that the levels of faecal indicator bacteria (E. coli
and intestinal enterococci) in the River Lim increase as the river flows through the
town. DNA analysis of water samples collected from the stream indicate that the source
of this contamination is predominantly human in origin (i.e. sewage). We have identified
several contaminated surface water outfalls in Lyme Regis that discharge to the River
Lim. Work by South West Water to stop this contamination is ongoing.
The urban area of Lyme Regis immediately behind the beach is served by a combined
(surface and sewer) system. Surface water can flow into the River Lim from urban areas,
outfall pipes and highway drains. This can affect bathing water quality, particularly
after periods of rainfall. The Environment Agency have regularly inspected and sampled
surface water outfalls.
Wrongly connected domestic waste water pipes can also affect the bathing water quality.
We have checked the local sewerage system for misconnections. We are working with
Dorset Council and South West Water to identify and rectify any problems.
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.
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.
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.
Streams and rivers are typically affected by human sewage, animal slurry and runoff
from roads. The River Lim enters the sea close to the beach and can impact on bathing
water quality. We monitor the River Lim throughout the bathing season.
The Lyme Regis (Uplyme) STW outfall discharges 600m from the shore of this bathing
water. The 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.
There are more than 50 farms in the catchment, most of which are dairy and beef. During
and after periods of heavy rainfall, runoff to the River Lim from agricultural land
is greatly increased, and the quality of the bathing water can be reduced.
The Environment Agency are working with Natural England and farmers to encourage better
farming practices and improve water quality in the surrounding areas.
There is some light industry within this catchment. The Environment Agency has worked
with businesses on the small industrial estate at Uplyme to ensure there is no affect
on the bathing water quality from 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 European 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.
