The Hayle Towans is north of the mouth of the Hayle Estuary on the north coast of
Cornwall. It is a sandy beach resort, approximately one kilometre wide, backed by
sand dunes.
There is an emergency overflow from the Towans pumping station that discharges 1.2km
southwest of the Environment Agency monitoring point.
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 sewage treatment scheme for Penzance and St Ives was completed by South West Water
in early 1995. The scheme included extensive sewerage, improvements to intermittent
discharges and the removal of untreated sewage discharges.
Wastewater from St Ives is pumped to Hayle sewage treatment works (STW), where it
receives secondary treatment before its discharge through a 2.7km long sea outfall
west of Godrevy Head. The Hayle STW was enlarged and upgraded in 1995 and again in
2000.
For the three year (2021-2023) assessment period where data is available, seaweed
(macroalgae) was assessed as being sufficient to be objectionable for 4% of visits,
with 72% 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 three year (2021-2023) 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.
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.
There are no streams affecting this bathing water directly, although the Hayle Estuary
is just to the west and can affect water quality during and after heavy rainfall.
Sewage from Hayle is pumped to Hayle STW for treatment, and discharges to the sea
3.2km from the bathing water. This discharge is 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 Hayle Towans
for the three year (2021-2023) 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 44% of visits. Tarry residue was not noted at
this site.
There are farms in the catchment, most of which are dairy and arable. During and after
periods of heavy rainfall, runoff from agricultural areas is greatly increased, and
the quality of the bathing water may be reduced.
There are caravan parks and hotels that are not on the main sewerage system and have
private sewage treatment arrangements. The Environment Agency do not believe these
are a source of pollution to the bathing water. If any concerns arise, the Environment
Agency will investigate and request immediate remedial action from those responsible.
The catchment surrounding Hayle Towans is approximately 9,750 hectares. The bathing
water is approximately 1.8km northeast of the mouth of the Hayle Estuary system, and
is backed by an extensive dune system (The Towans) which extends three and a half
kilometres northeast from Phillack to Gwithian.
The River Hayle is approximately 19km long rising southwest of Crowan village. It
flows west for approximately eight kilometres and through a steep wooded valley north
of the granite high ground at Trescowe Common, formerly a mining area. The river turns
north near the hamlet of Relubbus, and flows nine and a half kilometres passing St
Erth before reaching the Hayle Estuary.
Tributaries to the Hayle Estuary include the Nance Stream, the St Erth Stream and
the Angarrack Stream, which extend the main river network in the catchment to approximately
42km. The Hayle Estuary encompasses a disused port on the east bank and a substantial
area of salt marsh named Lelant Saltings to the west. This is an important habitat
for birds and the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds runs a nature reserve
there. Much of the estuary is designated as a Site of Special Scientific Interest
(SSSI), including the area directly surrounding the bathing water.
Land use is mostly arable with improved grassland concentrated in the southeast of
the catchment. There is a significant amount of urban area concentrated at the coast
including Hayle, Lelant and Connor Downs.
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.