Blue Anchor is on the coast of Somerset overlooking the Bristol Channel. The beach
is shingle and sand, and the water has a naturally cloudy colour. The beach has a
shallow slope and a very large tidal range so that it can be up to half a kilometre
to the sea at low tide. The Pill River enters the sea to the right of the Environment
Agency monitoring point. The Carhampton Stream also drains to the beach to the left
of the Environment Agency monitoring point.
There is an emergency/storm overflow from the Blue Anchor pumping station that discharges
into the Pill River at the bathing water. 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 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 Environment Agency are working with Wessex Water to carry out a review of sewerage
performance within the Blue Anchor area. The Environment Agency will make recommendations
for further improvements to protect and improve the bathing water quality.
The Environment Agency have been working over a number of years to investigate sources
of pollution to this bathing water. Recent investigation work has been continuing
with Wessex Water as part of their investment programme. This includes a review of
sewerage performance within the Blue Anchor area to determine what improvements, if
any, would be needed to improve bathing water quality to secure a Good Class and
beyond to Excellent. These investigations include monitoring the quality of discharges
and modelling the potential impact on bathing water quality. This is part of a National
requirement on all Water Companies to better understand the impact of their assets
on bathing water quality and what future investment might be required to meet Good
and Excellent standards. This work is due to be completed in September 2022.
Our Officers have walked the river catchment of the Pill and Carhampton Stream to
identify potential sources of pollution including misconnections, poorly maintained
private sewerage systems, leaking sewers and unsuitable farming practices.
During 2021/2 we will be used the latest DNA analysis on our bathing water samples
to help us pinpoint the main sources of elevated results. This technique helps to
identify and differentiate between sewage and agricultural sources, dogs and birds.
For the four year (2019-2022) assessment period where data is available, seaweed (macroalgae)
was not assessed as being sufficient to be objectionable, but was observed as being
present on 93% 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 bathing water quality.
We have checked the local sewerage systems at Bilbrook, Carhampton, Old Cleeve and
other areas in the lower catchment for misconnections. We have worked with Somerset
County Council 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 (2019-2022) 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 2022 2 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 Pill River and Carhampton Stream flow across the beach at this bathing
water and can affect water quality after heavy rainfall.
The outfalls from Minehead and Watchet STWs discharge four and a half kilometres west
and east of the Environment Agency monitoring point respectively. These discharges
are treated 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 Blue Anchor
West for the four year (2019-2022) 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 71% of visits. Tarry residue
was not noted at this site.
Since 2008, the Environment Agency have been working with Natural England and farmers
on Catchment Sensitive Farming (CSF) programmes to encourage better farming practices
and improve water quality in the surrounding areas. CSF activity has included educational
events for farmers, services and advice to farmers and land managers, farm visits
and surveys of the area to identify pollution risks.
There are homes in the Blue Anchor catchment that are not on the main sewerage system
and have private sewage treatment arrangements including septic tanks. Poorly maintained
systems may result in sewage leaking though the soil to the river to the bathing water.
The Environment Agency are working with private owners to ensure their sewerage arrangements
adequately protect the bathing water quality. If any concerns arise, the Environment
Agency will investigate and request immediate remedial action from those responsible.
The catchment surrounding Blue Anchor West is approximately 2,200 hectares. The Pill
River and the Carhampton Stream enter the sea at the beach. The upper areas of the
catchment are steeply sloping, whereas the lower areas north of the A39 are flatter.
The steep catchment means rain runs off rapidly into the river and stream. Land use
is mainly agricultural, including mixed livestock and a small amount of arable. There
is also domestic and recreational land, small villages, and caravan parks.
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.
