Ilfracombe Tunnels Beach is on the north coast of Devon. It is a sand and shingle
beach approximately 80 metres wide and accessed by hand carved tunnels. There is also
a Victorian tidal bathing pool at the beach.
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 this bathing water was affected by both continuous and intermittent water
company discharges of untreated sewage 500m to the east of the beach, at Cheyne beach.
The South West Water sewage treatment scheme for Ilfracombe was partially completed
in 1996. The scheme included a sewage treatment works (STW) at Ilfracombe which provides
secondary treatment and ultraviolet (UV) disinfection. The continuous discharge at
Hele Bay was then removed.
The STW outfall was extended in 1997, and the shorter outfall retained as a combined
sewer overflow (CSO)/ emergency overflow for the Cheyne pumping station. The scheme
also included some resewerage and improvements to CSOs, and in 2000 the Cheyne storm
tank was connected to alleviate flooding of properties. In 2002, two screens were
installed at the Ilfracombe STW inlet works.
The urban area of Ilfracombe 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 not assessed as being sufficient to be objectionable, but was observed
as being present on 91% of visits. 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 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 outfall from Ilfracombe STW discharges to the sea 850m northeast 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 Ilfracombe Tunnels
Beach 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 20% of visits. Tarry residue
was not noted at this site.
The catchment surrounding Ilfracombe Tunnels Beach is approximately 3.6 hectares.
There are no streams which drain directly to the bathing water. The nearest stream
is channelled underground through the town of Illfracombe and discharges to Wildersmouth
beach approximately 500m east of Tunnels beach. The catchment is 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.
