Bovisand is on the south coast of Devon. It is a remote sandy bay, approximately 100
metres wide, surrounded by cliffs. There is a small stream that flows over the beach
to the sea.
The Environment Agency periodically carries out additional catchment monitoring, and
this is used to make recommendations for further improvements to protect and improve
bathing water quality.
For the four year (2020-2023) assessment period where data is available, seaweed (macroalgae)
was assessed as being sufficient to be objectionable for 23% of visits, with 71% of
visits noting the presence of seaweed (macroalgae). The bathing water can become covered
with large amounts of seaweed, depending on tides and the weather. This bathing water
has a history of large amounts of seaweed.
For the four year (2020-2023) 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.
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 Bovisand Stream flows onto the beach. The Environment Agency have
monitored the stream since 1992 and found that water quality is temporarily worse
during and after heavy rainfall. The Bovisand Steam also occasionally has elevated
bacterial levels during dry weather from private sewage treatment works.
Environment Agency samplers make observations of litter present on the beach at every
visit, this includes assessments of sewage debris, litter and tar. At Bovisand for
the four year (2020-2023) assessment period where data is available, sewage debris
was not noted at this site. Litter was assessed as being sufficient to be objectionable
for 2% of visits, with 70% of visits noting the presence of litter. Tarry residue
was not noted at this site.
During and after periods of heavy rainfall, runoff to the Bovisand Stream from agricultural
land is greatly increased, and the quality of the bathing water can 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 Bovisand is approximately 180 hectares. The Bovisand Stream
is approximately 1.4 kilometres long and enters the sea at the bathing water. Land
use is mostly agricultural with just one or two 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.
