Minehead Terminus is on the Somerset coast overlooking the Bristol Channel. It is
a sand and shingle beach resort, approximately 2.6 kilometres wide, close to the town.
There is an emergency/storm overflow from the Quay West pumping station, that discharges
to the sea north of the harbour wall. There are storm overflows from the Blenheim
Road and the Green Spot CSOs, that discharge through the same outfall to the sea north
of the harbour wall.
There is an emergency/storm overflow from the Minehead STW pumping station, that discharges
to the sea two kilometres from the beach.
The operation of the overflows 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/
In the past this bathing water was affected by a continuous discharge of sewage from
Minehead sewage treatment works (STW), which was treated to a primary standard with
disinfection by chlorination during the bathing season. The Wessex Water sewage treatment
scheme for Minehead, which provides secondary treatment and ultraviolet disinfection,
was completed in October 1999. Improvements were also made to the sewerage system
to reduce the frequency of overflows at that time. Watchet sewage treatment works
(STW) discharges four and a half kilometres east of the Environment Agency monitoring
point at Blue Anchor. Emergency overflows and storm overflows in Watchet were improved
by the end of 2001, and secondary treatment was installed at Watchet STW by the end
of 2002. The storm outfall at Bilbrook was also improved at that time. The emergency
overflows at Blenheim Road and Green Spot were improved by March 2002. The Environment
Agency worked with Wessex Water to carry out a review of sewerage performance within
the Blue Anchor area. Subsequent repairs and improvements to the sewerage infrastructure
in 2010 have helped to further improve the 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 89% of visits. 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 noted at this site. 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 and wind 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 13 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. There are three streams which flow out to sea in the area. The Park Stream
discharges 200 metres (m) west of the Environment Agency monitoring point, and the
Summerwest and Duckpond streams discharge 700m to the east the Environment Agency
monitoring point. The Environment Agency have monitored the Park and Duck Pond streams
between 1995 and 2006, and found that water quality is worse during and after heavy
rainfall.
The outfall from Minehead STW, discharges to the sea two kilometres 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 Minehead Terminus
for the four year (2020-2023) assessment period where data is available, sewage debris
was assessed as being sufficient to be objectionable for 2% of visits, with 5% of
visits noting the presence of sewage debris. Litter was assessed as being sufficient
to be objectionable for 2% of visits, with 72% of visits noting the presence of litter.
Tarry residue was not noted at this site.
The catchment surrounding Minehead Terminus is approximately 1,150 hectares. The Park,
Summerwest and Duckpond streams enter the sea at the beach. The largest of the three
streams is the Park Stream which is channelled underground through the town of Minehead,
and branches out into the catchment for approximately five kilometres. The catchment
is mostly agricultural, with less than five farms.
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.