Weymouth Lodmoor is on the Dorset coast. It is a shingle beach, approximately one
kilometre wide, backed by a promenade and the Lodmoor Nature Reserve.
Storm overflows from the Melcombe Avenue and Cranford Avenue CSO's share an outfall,
that discharges to the sea 230 metres from the Environment Agency monitoring point.
The operation of the overflows can lead to a drop in water quality at the bathing
water. 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 Wessex Water scheme for Weymouth sewage treatment works (STW), which provides
secondary treatment, was completed in 2000. A combined sewer overflow (CSO) in Weymouth
at Rodwell Avenue was improved by Wessex Water in February 2001. Improvements were
made to a further 11 CSOs in Weymouth discharging to the River Wey and Weymouth Bay
by March 2002. A storm overflow in the Preston catchment (Lodmoor Pumping Station
- Weymouth Bay Avenue) was improved by April 2004.
The urban area of Weymouth immediately behind the beach is served by a combined (surface
and sewer) system. Surface water can flow into the streams from urban areas and highway
drains. This can affect stream water quality, particularly after periods of rainfall.
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 86% of visits. 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 stream water quality.
We have checked the local sewerage system for misconnections. We are working with
the local authority and Wessex 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 7% 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.
Sewage from the Weymouth and Portland area is treated at Weymouth STW and discharges
to the sea one kilometre offshore, west of Portland Harbour. The discharge is designed
to protect 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 Weymouth Lodmoor
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 89% of visits. Tarry residue was not noted at
this site.
The catchment surrounding Weymouth Lodmoor is approximately 650 hectares. There are
two streams piped to the sea under the beach. The stream to the south of the Environment
Agency monitoring point drains water from a network of man-made drainage channels
to the east of Weymouth. The stream to the north of the Environment Agency monitoring
point drains water from the marshes of Lodmoor Nature Reserve. The River Jordan and
the River Wey enter the sea two kilometres either side of 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 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.
