Lyme Regis Front Beach is to the west of Lyme Regis on the south coast of Dorset.
The Cobb is a curved breakwater that shelters Lyme Regis Harbour. The beach is a sandy
resort, approximately 760 metres wide, close to the town.
The storm/emergency overflow from the Cobb pumping station, is just to the south of
the Cobb breakwater. The operation of the overflow can lead to a drop in bathing water
quality.
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
secondary 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.
To improve bathing water quality at Lyme Regis, South West Water constructed an 86
cubic metre storm storage tank at Uplyme Sewage Treatment Works to reduce the number
of storm discharges during extremely wet weather. This work was completed in March
2015.
Investigations by the Environment Agency have shown that at times bathing water quality
can be impacted by a short surface water outfall at the beach.
The Environment Agency are working with South West Water to carry out a review of
sewerage performance within the area. Following these investigations the Environment
Agency will make recommendations for additional improvements to protect and improve
the bathing water quality if necessary.
The urban area of Lyme Regis immediately behind the beach is served by a combined
(surface and sewer) system. In 2006 the local authority built an outfall which drains
surface water from the surrounding area and discharges next to the Environment Agency
monitoring point. Environment Agency investigations have shown that this outfall is
vulnerable to contamination with sewage. The Environment Agency have been working
with the local authority to rectify this problem.
For the four year (2020-2023) assessment period where data is available, seaweed (macroalgae)
was assessed as being sufficient to be objectionable for 3% of visits, with 65% of
visits noting the presence of seaweed (macroalgae). This bathing water does not have
a history of large amounts of seaweed (macro algae).
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
the local authority 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.
For the four year (2020-2023) 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 3% of visits. 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.
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, tide, wind, sunlight 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 7 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.
Streams and rivers are typically affected by human sewage, animal slurry and runoff
from roads. The River Lim enters the sea 400m to the East of the bathing water. Environment
Agency monitoring of the River Lim found that water quality is worse after heavy rainfall.
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. At Lyme Regis Front
Beach 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 10% of visits, with 78% of visits noting the presence of litter. Tarry residue
was not noted at this site.
The catchment surrounding Lyme Regis Front Beach is approximately 1800 hectares. Lyme
Regis extends approximately two kilometres (km) inland to Uplyme. Both the upper and
lower reaches of the River Lim are in Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty. Land use
is mostly agricultural, with more than 50 farms. The River Lim passes through Lyme
Regis for approximately 1 km before entering the sea 400m East of Front 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 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.