Jacobs Ladder is on the south coast of Devon. It is a pebble beach, approximately
490 metres wide, backed by cliffs. A path along the cliff connects the beach to Sidmouth
Town beach.
The South West Water sewage treatment scheme for Sidmouth, which provides secondary
treatment and ultraviolet (UV) disinfection, was completed in 2001. Improvements were
made to the combined sewer overflow (CSO) at Bickwell Brook in 2002. Storm overflow
event duration monitoring (EDM) was installed at Sidmouth STW (the Ham) pumping station
by May 2011.
For the four year (2020-2023) assessment period where data is available, seaweed (macroalgae)
was not assessed as being sufficient to be objectionable, but was observed as being
present on 39% of visits. This bathing water does not have a history of large amounts
of seaweed (macro algae).
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 5% 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.
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 River Sid enters the sea one kilometre to the east of the beach. The
Environment Agency have monitored the River Sid between 1995 and 2010, and found that
water quality is temporarily worse after heavy rainfall. The Bickwell Brook enters
the sea 450m east of the Environment Agency monitoring point.
The Sidmouth STW outfall discharges to the sea 1.3km from the bathing water. This
discharge is disinfected 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 Sidmouth Jacobs
Ladder for the four year (2020-2023) 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 45% of visits. Tarry residue
was not noted at this site.
There are farms in the catchment, which are dairy, beef, and arable. During and after
periods of heavy rainfall, runoff from agricultural land is greatly increased, and
the quality of the bathing water can be reduced.
The Environment Agency have worked with businesses on the Alexandria Industrial Estate
and Manstone Avenue Industrial Estate to ensure there is no affect on the bathing
water quality from these sites. A pollution campaign at both sites has resulted in
an improvement in water quality.
The catchment surrounding Sidmouth is approximately 4200 hectares. The River Sid rises
on the edge of Pen Hill Woods above Ottery St Mary and flows south through Sidbury
to the sea at Sidmouth one kilometre (km) east of the Environment Agency monitoring
point. The steep catchment means rain runs off rapidly into the River Sid and onto
the beach. The Bickwell Brook is approximately 2.3km long and flows through the western
part of Sidmouth to the sea 450m east of the Environment Agency monitoring point.
The catchment close to the beach is urban, and in the wider catchment it is mostly
agriculture and forestry.
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.
