Ringstead Bay is on the Dorset coast and is part of the Purbeck Heritage Coast. It
is a remote shingle beach, approximately one kilometre wide, backed by high cliffs.
There is a storm overflow from the Ringstead STW, which discharges to the Ringstead
Stream 280m from the beach. The operation of the overflow can lead to a drop in bathing
water quality. This bathing water is included in the Surfers Against Sewage “Safer
Seas Service”. This service can alert you to Combined Storm Sewer Overflow discharges
via a phone App and in addition, it includes the Environment Agency Pollution Risk
Forecast warnings where they are available. Further details of the service can be
found at - http://www.sas.org.uk/safer-seas-service/
The village of Ringstead was originally unsewered with local homes discharging to
the stream. The first time rural sewerage scheme for Ringstead, which provides secondary
treatment and ultraviolet disinfection, was completed by Wessex Water in 2005.
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 87% of
visits noting the presence of seaweed (macroalgae). This bathing water does not have
a history of large amounts of seaweed (macro algae).
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.
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 Ringstead Stream flows onto the beach. Monitoring by the Environment
Agency has shown that the quality of this stream can be worse during or following
heavy rainfall.
The outfall from Ringstead sewage treatment works discharges to the Ringstead Stream
280m from the beach. 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 Ringstead 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 85% of visits. Tarry residue was not noted at
this site.
During and after periods of heavy rainfall, runoff from agricultural areas is greatly
increased, and the quality of the bathing water may be adversely affected.
The rural catchment surrounding Ringstead Bay is approximately 230 hectares. Two small
streams meet above Ringstead Village to form Ringstead Stream which flows south to
the beach. The western tributary is wooded and the eastern tributary flows through
grassland.
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.