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 intermittent
discharges entering Torbay and the untreated outfall at Hopes Nose, which was removed
as part of South West Water's sewage treatment scheme for Torbay commissioned in May
2002. The scheme consisted of extensive resewerage and improvements to unsatisfactory
combined sewer overflows (CSO) and pumping stations.
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.
The urban area of Broadsands immediately behind the beach is served by a combined
(surface and sewer) system. There are no outfalls from this system onto the beach.
For the four year (2020-2023) assessment period where data is available, seaweed (macroalgae)
was assessed as being sufficient to be objectionable for 8% of visits, with 84% of
visits noting the presence of seaweed (macroalgae). The bathing water can become covered
with large amounts of seaweed at certain times of the year, depending on tides and
the weather. Groynes and rocks, platforms or other fixed objects may also develop
a covering of seaweed which can be slippery.
For the four year (2020-2023) 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 2% of visits. Phytoplankton (microscopic algae) naturally
increase in number at certain times of the year. This process is known as a phytoplankton
bloom. These blooms can discolour the water or form as a foam on the water. 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.
The Tor Stream flows across the beach to the east of the Environment Agency monitoring
point. The Environment Agency have monitored the stream between 1989 and 2009, and
again in 2015, 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 Broadsands for
the four year (2020-2023) assessment period where data is available, sewage debris
was not assessed as being sufficient to be objectionable, but was observed as being
present on 2% of visits. Litter was not assessed as being sufficient to be objectionable,
but was observed as being present on 40% of visits. Tarry residue was not noted at
this site.
The catchment surrounding Broadsands is approximately 175 hectares. The Tor Stream
enters the sea at the beach and is approximately 300 metres long. Land use is mainly
urban.
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.
