Westward Ho! is south of the Taw/Torridge Estuary on the north coast of Devon. It
is a large sandy beach resort, approximately 1.7 kilometres wide, backed by a pebble
ridge. Many rock pools are visible at low tide.
There is an emergency/storm overflow from the Northam pumping station. The overflow
discharges to the sea at Rock Nose, one and a half kilometres from the Environment
Agency monitoring point. The operation of the overflow can lead to a temporary drop
in water quality at the bathing water.
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 continuous and intermittent discharges
of sewage to the Taw/Torridge Estuary. The South West Water sewage treatment scheme
for the area collects sewage from the various settlements around the Taw/Torridge
Estuary. It is split into two schemes centred on the Ashford (Barnstaple) sewage treatment
works (STW) (North Scheme), and a works at Cornborough (South Scheme).
The North Scheme at Ashford (Barnstaple) STW, which provided secondary treatment and
an outfall to the deep water channel of the Taw Estuary, was completed during 1996
and 1997. The STW was upgraded with ultraviolet (UV) disinfection in October 1997,
and flows from the Velator STW were transferred to Ashford at that time.
The South Scheme at Cornborough STW, which provides secondary treatment and UV disinfection,
was completed in 2003. The scheme included the transfer of sewage from the Rock Nose
discharge and other continuous discharges from the south bank of the Taw Estuary to
Cornborough STW, and discharge though a 600m outfall at Abbotsham.
A number of local sewerage systems with combined sewer overflows (CSO) in Bideford,
Appledore, Velator, Fremington and parts of south Barnstaple were also improved or
removed as part of the scheme. Improvements were made to eight storm overflows including
Yelland CSO, Bideford pumping station (PS), and Instow 'A' PS in April 2004, and a
further 22 storm overflows were improved by April 2005.
The urban area of Westward Ho! 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 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 68% 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 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. 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.
There are no streams or rivers directly affecting this beach. However this beach is
close to the Taw/Torridge Estuary which could affect the bathing water at certain
states of the tide.
Sewage from Bideford, Westward Ho!, and the surrounding area, is treated at Cornborough
STW and then discharges to the sea three kilometres southwest of the bathing water.
Sewage from Barnstaple, Braunton, and the surrounding area, is treated at Ashford
(Barnstaple) STW and then discharges to the Taw Estuary, eleven kilometres east of
the bathing water.
Both of these discharges are 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 Westward Ho!
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 59% of visits. Tarry residue was not noted at
this site.
There are no known agricultural sources directly affecting this bathing water. During
and after periods of very heavy rainfall, runoff to the Taw/Torridge Estuary from
agricultural land is greatly increased, and the quality of the bathing water can be
reduced.
The catchment surrounding Westward Ho! is approximately 85 hectares. There are no
streams discharging directly to the bathing water, however, the Taw/Torridge Estuary
enters the sea approximately two and a half kilometres north of Westward Ho! 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.
