There is a storm overflow from the Kings Drive Penstock at SX9067063720, that discharges
to the Torre Abbey Stream 400m from the bathing water. The operation of the overflow
can lead to a temporary 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 the main water company affects on this bathing water were from the combined
sewer overflow (CSO) at Kings Drive Penstock - that discharges to the Torre Abbey
Stream two kilometres upstream - and the untreated outfall at Hopes Nose. The continuous
outfall at Hopes Nose was removed as part of South West Water's sewage treatment scheme
for Torbay which was commissioned in May 2002. The scheme consisted of extensive resewerage
and improvements to unsatisfactory CSOs and pumping stations, including improvements
to the Kings Drive Penstock CSO. The area is served by combined sewers, which drain
by gravity to Ilsham Valley pumping station from where flows are pumped to Torbay
for treatment. A sewage works was built at Brokenbury Quarry in 2002 where effluent
receives secondary treatment and ultraviolet (UV) disinfection before discharge through
an extended outfall at Sharkham Point. Flows from the untreated outfall at Hopes Nose
were transferred to Brokenbury by June 2003, and this outfall was retained as a CSO.
Storm overflow event duration monitoring (EDM) was installed at the Kings Drive Penstock
CSO by May 2011, and improvements to seven storm overflows were completed by April
2015.
In February 2016 South West Water began a project in the Sherwell Valley Road area
to improve Torquay's sewer network. The scheme includes laying new sewers, replacing
other sewers with larger pipes and replacing manholes in order to separate the foul
and surface water systems. These improvements are designed to prevent foul sewage
from entering the surface water network. As part of the works, South West Water will
be extending the existing underground storm storage tank in Rocket Park, off Mallock
Road.
In 2004 the Environment Agency carried out surveys to identify possible sources of
contamination to the Torre Abbey Stream. Misconnections and leaking sewers were found
and work carried out to rectify any problems. In 2009 a project highlighted properties
that were wrongly connected to the surface water system, and these have been corrected.
In 2010 a dedicated Torbay Beach Project Officer investigated further and took samples.
The Environment Agency have used a DNA tracing technique to help us identify whether
sources of faecal pollution are human or animal. The Environment Agency are working
with South West Water to carry out a review of sewer performance within the Torbay
area and will make recommendations for improvements to protect and improve the bathing
water quality.
In 2015 and 2016 the Environment Agency carried out further investigations looking
at any potential misconnected properties. This was followed by a CCTV investigation
of the sewers in the Sherwell Park area.
The urban area of Torquay immediately behind the beach is served by a combined (surface
and sewer) system. There are no outfalls from the system onto the beach.
For the four year (2015-2018) assessment period where data is available, seaweed (macroalgae)
was assessed as being sufficient to be objectionable for 10% of visits, with 67% of
visits noting the presence of seaweed (macroalgae). 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 system for misconnections. We are working with
Torbay Council and South West Water to identify and rectify any problems when they
arise.
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 (2015-2018) 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 1% 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.
This bathing water is subject to short term pollution. Short term pollution is caused
when heavy rainfall or high tides wash faecal material into the sea from livestock,
sewage and urban drainage via rivers and streams. At this site the risk of encountering
reduced water quality increases after rainfall and typically returns to normal after
1-3 days. The Environment Agency makes daily pollution risk forecasts based on rainfall
and tidal patterns and will issue a pollution risk warning if high tides or heavy
rainfall occurs to enable bathers to avoid periods of increased risk.
The Environment Agency works to reduce the sources of this pollution through pollution
prevention measures, work with agriculture and water companies.
15 warnings advising against swimming due to an increase risk of short term pollution
were issued in 2018 for Torre Abbey bathing water. These warnings were issued because
of the effects of heavy rain on the water quality.
The Torre Abbey Stream flows across the beach to the west of the Environment Agency
monitoring point. The Environment Agency have monitored the stream since 1989 and
found that it is affected by runoff from urban areas and highway drains.
Environment Agency samplers make observations of litter present on the beach at every
visit, this includes assessments of sewage debris, litter and tar. At Torre Abbey
for the four year (2015-2018) assessment period where data is available, sewage debris
was not noted at this site. Litter was assessed as being sufficient to be objectionable
for 3% of visits, with 50% of visits noting the presence of litter. Tarry residue
was not noted at this site.
There are some private discharges with potential to cause pollution, however at present
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 Torre Abbey is approximately 880 hectares, and is mainly
urban. The Torre Abbey (Cockington) Stream that discharges to the beach is approximately
two kilometres long, and for much of its length is channelled underground. The upper
sections of the stream receive flows from the large catchment area through surface
water sewers and highway drains. The steep catchment means rain runs off rapidly into
the stream.
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.