There is an emergency/storm overflow from the West Hoe Tanks that discharges to Plymouth
Sound approximately 800m West of Firestone Bay bathing water. There are emergency
and storm overflows that discharge into Plymouth Sound from neighbouring urban catchments.
The operation of the overflows can lead to a temporary drop in water quality in the
Plymouth Sound and at Firestone Bay bathing water. South West Water, in close partnership
with the Environment Agency and Plymouth City Council, are continuing a programme
of improvements to reduce the operation of overflows and reduce surface water flood
risk within Plymouth. Work includes reducing infiltration and surface water run-off
into the sewer network.
The sewage treatment scheme for Plymouth was completed by South West Water during
the 1998 bathing season. A large number of untreated sewage discharges to Plymouth
Sound and the Cattewater were removed and transferred to Plymouth sewage treatment
works (STW). Sewage is treated to a secondary standard with ultraviolet (UV) disinfection.
Improvements to several untreated discharges into the lower Tamar Estuary (Hamoaze),
were also completed at that time. Since completion of this scheme the bathing water
quality at Firestone Bay has improved significantly. Wastewater flows to Saltash STW
were transferred to Ernesettle STW in 2000 and secondary treatment was completed by
April 2001. A total of 12 discharges to the river Tamar were improved by the end of
December 2002, and a further 16 discharges by the end of March 2003. Storm overflow
event duration monitoring (EDM) was installed at eleven storm discharges to the Plym
and Plymouth Sound by April 2012 and a further five in March 2016. Storm overflow
event duration monitoring (EDM) was installed at 31 storm discharges to the Plym and
Plymouth Sound by March 2018. UV disinfection was installed at Plymouth Central STW
overflow by March 2018. Further improvements to the sewer network are due by March
2025.
The Environment Agency have carried out extensive additional catchment monitoring
in the Plymouth area alongside the Environment Agency routine bathing water monitoring.
The Environment Agency also used a DNA tracing technique to help us identify whether
sources of faecal pollution are human or animal. The aim was to pinpoint pollution
problems in the catchments flowing into Plymouth Sound and the local sewerage infrastructure
so that the Environment Agency can improve water quality at the bathing waters. Investigations
showed that the urban drainage problems were a source of pollution to the bathing
water. As a result, between 2012-2014, the Environment Agency, in partnership with
South West Water and Plymouth City Council, investigated the sewerage network in Plymouth
to identify and rectify issues. The project focused on misconnections entering stormwater
drains and polluting local watercourses. However other issues were identified such
as issues with South West Water assets, private treatment plants and blockages due
to fats and grease. More than 250 issues were identified and resolved. South West
Water continue to investigate a small number of polluted outfalls which show signs
of misconnections.
The urban area of Plymouth immediately behind the beach is served by a combined (surface
and sewer) system. The outfall from the Tinside Swimming Pool discharges to Plymouth
Sound approximately 1.3km west of the Environment Agency monitoring point.
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.
For the one year (2023) assessment period where data is available, seaweed (macroalgae)
was assessed as being sufficient to be objectionable for 35% of visits, with 65% of
visits noting the presence of seaweed (macroalgae). The bathing water at Firestone
Bay can become covered with large amounts of seaweed, depending on tides and the weather.
This bathing water has a history of large amounts of seaweed.
Wrongly connected domestic wastewater pipes can affect the bathing water quality.
We have checked the local sewerage system for misconnections. We are working with
Plymouth City Council and South West Water to identify and rectify any problems when
they arise.
There is currently a misconnection project underway for a group of properties just
to the south of the Royal William Yard, we are working collaboratively with different
organisations to rectify these issues.
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 one year (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.
The risks to human health from contact with, ingestion or inhalation of marine algae,
in UK coastal waters are considered 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 Tamar and Plym rivers can affect bathing water quality at Firestone
Bay during and after heavy rainfall.
The Plymouth STW outfall discharges to Plymouth Sound approximately 800m west of Firestone
Bay bathing water. This discharge is disinfected and designed to protect bathing water
quality.
There is another identified outfall which discharges sewage near the bathing water
however the impact of this is currently unknown and under investigation.
Environment Agency samplers make observations of litter present on the beach at every
visit, this includes assessments of sewage debris, litter and tar. At Plymouth Firestone
Bay for the one year (2023) assessment period where data is available, sewage debris
was not noted at this site. Litter was assessed as being sufficient to be objectionable
for 5% of visits, with 60% of visits noting the presence of litter. Tarry residue
was not noted at this site.
The Tamar Estuaries Consultative Forum (TECF) - http://www.plymouth-mpa.uk/home/managing-the-mpa/tamar-estuaries-consultative-forum/
is a partnership of organisations and local authorities with statutory responsibility
towards the management of the Plymouth Sound & Tamar Estuaries Marine Protected Area
(MPA). TECF and its advisory groups – the Port of Plymouth Marine Liaison Committee
(PPMLC) and the Wembury Voluntary Marine Conservation Area Advisory Group (WAG) –
provide an effective and collaborative framework for managing the MPA whilst recognising
the commercial, defence and recreational importance of the site.
Where the Environment Agency have found polluting discharges from private properties
close to the bathing water, they have been connected to the sewerage system. If any
concerns arise, the Environment Agency will investigate and request immediate remedial
action from those responsible.
The catchment surrounding Firestone Bay is approximately 171,000 hectares. It includes
the Tamar and the Plym Estuaries which enter the sea in Plymouth Sound. The Tamar
system includes the rivers Tamar, Tavy, Tiddy, and Lynher. The river Tamar rises close
to Bude on the north coast of Cornwall and flows south for 50 kilometres (km) before
becoming tidal approximately 30km inland at Gunnislake Weir. The Lynher rises on Bodmin
Moor and flows for approximately 34km to the estuary at Plymouth. The Tiddy joins
the Lynher in the upper estuary. The River Tavy rises in Dartmoor National Park and
falls steeply for 28km to the tidal limit at Lopwell, before joining the Tamar Estuary
10km upstream from Plymouth Sound. The River Plym rises on the open moorland of south
Dartmoor and becomes tidal five and a half kilometres before entering the sea at the
eastern side of Plymouth Sound. The major maritime and industrial city of Plymouth
contrasts strongly with the rural character of the upper catchments, which are populated
by specialist dairy, beef and sheep farms and some arable land producing potatoes
and maize. Historic mining and industrial activity has significantly affected land
and water quality.
Catchment Partners are working together throughout the catchment to improve overall
water quality. This has led to programmes such as Upstream Thinking, Catchment Sensitive
Farming, Intertidal Habitat creation and Seagrass bed improvements. Specific Catchment
Partnership measures can be found on the River Basin Management Cycle 3 - https://environment.data.gov.uk/catchment-planning/v/c3-plan/CatchmentPartnership/WEIF7201
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.