Combesgate Beach is separated by cliffs from the main Woolacombe resort beach on the
north coast of Devon. It is a sandy bay, approximately 440 metres wide, backed by
rocky cliffs and great for rock pooling at low tide.
There is an emergency/storm overflow from the Woolacombe pumping station that discharges
to the sea 400m southwest of the Environment Agency monitoring point. There is an
emergency overflow from the Castle Rock pumping station at that discharges to the
sea 380m northwest of the Environment Agency monitoring point.
The operation of the overflows 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.
The urban area of Mortehoe 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 three year (2021-2023) 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). This bathing water
does not have a history of large amounts of seaweed (macro algae).
For the three year (2021-2023) 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. 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 procedures. The Environment
Agency makes a daily pollution risk forecast at this site based on the effects of
rain, tide, wind 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 Barricane Beach Stream flows across the beach to the east of the Environment Agency
monitoring point. The Environment Agency have monitored the stream between 1999 and
2008.
The outfall from Woolacombe STW discharges to the sea 400m southwest 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 Combesgate Beach,
Woolacombe for the three year (2021-2023) 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 44% of visits. Tarry residue
was not noted at this site.
The Combesgate Beach catchment is largely agricultural with significant areas of land
used for livestock. During and after periods of heavy rainfall, runoff from agricultural
areas is greatly increased, and the quality of the bathing water may be reduced.
There is a caravan park which is not on the main sewerage system and has private sewage
treatment arrangements. The Environment Agency do not believe these are a source of
pollution to the bathing water at present. If any concerns arise, the Environment
Agency will investigate and request immediate remedial action from those responsible.
The catchment surrounding Combesgate Beach is approximately 150 hectares. There is
a small stream approximately two kilometres (km) long which enters the sea through
a narrow gorge at the top of the beach. 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.
