Woolacombe is on the north coast of Devon. It is a large sandy beach resort, approximately
700 metres wide, backed by sand dunes. There is a stream which spreads out over the
sand at the back of the beach.
There is an emergency/storm overflow from the Woolacombe pumping station that discharges
to the sea 680m northwest of the Environment Agency monitoring point. 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/
The sewage treatment scheme for Woolacombe which provides secondary treatment and
ultraviolet disinfection, was completed by South West Water in early 2001. Alarms
were installed at Castle Rock pumping station (PS) and Woolacombe Beach PS during
2003, and leaking sewers were also replaced at Chapel Hill Morthoe at that time. The
outfall from Woolacombe STW as extended in 2005.
Storm overflow event duration monitoring was installed at Woolacombe STW by April
2011.
In 2019 the Environment Agency began investigation of the Woolacombe stream, following
observations of high bacteria levels. Extra bacteria sampling and a walkover of part
of the catchment took place. Due to COVID-19 restrictions this work was paused in
2020 but is scheduled to recommence in 2021.
The urban area of Woolacombe immediately behind the beach is served by a combined
(surface and sewer) system. There are no outfalls from the system onto the beach.
The Environment Agency have regularly inspected and sampled surface water outfalls.
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 35% of visits. 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
North Devon District 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 (2020-2023) assessment period where data is available, phytoplankton
(microscopic algae) was not noted at this site. Phytoplankton increase in number at
certain times of the year and this process is known as a phytoplankton bloom. These
blooms can discolour the water or form as a foam on the water. The Environment Agency
research shows this bathing water has 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 procedures. The Environment
Agency makes a daily pollution risk forecast at this site based on the effects of
rain, tide and seasonality on bathing water quality. These factors affect the levels
of bacteria that get washed into the sea from livestock, sewage and urban drainage
via rivers and streams and how they disperse.
When these factors combine to make short term pollution likely we issue a pollution
risk warning on this website and the beach manager will display a sign advising against
bathing at the bathing water. After a short term pollution event, levels of bacteria
typically return to normal after a day or so but it’s possible to have several warning
days in a row. Details of the work to reduce the sources of bacteria at this bathing
water are detailed in this profile.
In 2023 no pollution risk warnings were issued for this bathing water.
All bathing waters have the potential to be affected by a pollution incident and if
this occurs a pollution risk warning will be issued with associated advice against
bathing on this website.
The Woolacombe Stream flows across the beach to the south of the Environment Agency
monitoring point. The Environment Agency have monitored the stream between 1989 and
2008, and again between 2013 and 2014. We have found that it is affected by runoff
from farms and possibly other sources further up the catchment.
The outfall from Woolacombe STW discharges to the sea 680m northwest of the Environment
Agency monitoring point. 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 Woolacombe Village
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 35% of visits. Tarry residue was not noted at
this site.
There are four beef and sheep farms in this small catchment. During and after periods
of heavy rainfall, runoff from agricultural areas to the Woolacombe Stream 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. If any concerns arise, the Environment Agency
will investigate and request immediate remedial action from those responsible.
The catchment surrounding Woolacombe Village is approximately 440 hectares. The Woolacombe
Stream is approximately three kilometres (km) long and flows through a valley from
the village of Ossaborough to the beach at Woolacombe. The steep catchment means rain
runs off rapidly into the stream. Land use is mainly agricultural with four livestock
farms.
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.