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bathing water description |
Situated on the north Wales coastline, 11 kilometres east of Bangor, the beach is
sandy at low tide, with stones and pebbles forming the upper bay area. The beach area
extends approximately 1 kilometre, with rocks and coastal defences fringing the outer
reaches. The coastal water and coastal belt form the Menai Strait and Conwy Bay Special
Area of Conservation, confirming the high conservation status of the area. The water
quality sample point is located at the north end of the promenade.
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county name |
Conwy |
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eso outfalls statement |
Within the catchment of the bathing water, there are 2 intermittent discharges with
outfalls discharging inland and into coastal waters in the catchment. Station Road
Combined Storm Overflow is located on the main sewer line at Penmaenmawr, whilst the
Promenade Pumping Station between Penmaenmawr and Dwygyfylchi transfers sewage east
to the treatment works.
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history statement |
Penmaenmawr Sewage Treatment Works treats sewage effluent from the catchments of Penmaenmawr
and Dwygyfylchi. A new sewage treatment works has been built and now discharges secondary
treated sewage effluent into coastal waters. To protect bathing waters, the outfall
is 360 metres from the shore, approximately 1.5 kilometres from the bathing water,
and is disinfected.
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investigations statement |
Natural Resources Wales works to establish sources of pollution around Penmaenmawr.
Some of this work is carried out in partnership with Conwy County Council and Dŵr
Cymru Welsh Water. Inspections are carried out by Natural Resources Wales in partnership
with the local authority and the water company. These are carried out pre-season (before
the 1st of May) and mid season if required (during the bathing water season). A bacterial
survey was undertaken along the length of the river catchment in 2009 and in 2011,
as part of a review of the whole catchment. Results indicated high bacterial levels
in the Moel Llys Area. Investigations are currently underway to establish if the contaminated
surface water outfall is impacting on bathing water quality, and to establish the
origin of the contamination.
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local authority statement |
Natural Resources Wales continues to work with Conwy Council to maintain the high
standard of water quality at Penmaenmawr.
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macro algae statement |
This bathing water does not have a history of large amounts of seaweed (macroalgae). |
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misconnections statement |
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.
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phytoplankton statement |
Phytoplankton (microscopic algae) naturally increase in number at certain times of
the year. This process is known as a phytoplankton bloom.
Algal Blooms can occur at any beach during the bathing season and are usually noticeable
by a surface scum. This beach has no history of such blooms.
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source |
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version string |
1 |
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zoi description |
The natural drainage (hydrological) catchment surrounding the bathing water is primarily
urban, namely the town of Penmaenmawr. The River Graiglwyd drains down through the
town, from the upper catchment, picking up several small tributaries, before discharging
onto the beach, near to the sample point. Behind the town, the land rises sharply
to form hills, used for rough grazing. This area also includes the Penmaenmawr granite
quarry.
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bathing water |
ukl1301-40180 |
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local authority |
Conwy - Conwy |
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standard language collection |
2014-40180:1
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algae general statement |
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.
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eso outfalls general statement |
The majority of sewers in England and Wales 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.
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local authority general statement |
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.
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pollution management general statement |
It is the Environment Agency and Natural Resources Wales role to drive improvement
of water quality at bathing waters that are at risk of failing European 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.
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stw outfalls general statement |
Discharges from sewage treatment works have improved substantially in England and
Wales since the 1980s.
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web res image |
ukl1301-40180_1-webres.jpg |
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