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bathing water description |
The sandy beach is long, sweeping and slopes gently, which on a low tide can result
in the sea being some distance from the shore line. Pembrey is one of the UK’s longest
beaches, stretching over 11 kilometres, backing onto the Pembrey Country Park. The
beach is located within the Carmarthen Bay and Estuary Special Area of Conservation.
The water quality sample point is located directly in line with the path to the beach.
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county name |
Carmarthenshire |
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eso outfalls statement |
Within the catchment, there are a number of storm/emergency/surface water outfalls,
that discharge into the rivers and ditches. After periods of rainfall these discharges
could potentially affect bathing water quality. However, there is no current evidence
directly linking discharges from these assets to reduced water quality at the beach.
There are storm and emergency overflows at Burry Port, Pwll and Northumberland Sewage
Pumping Stations. There are also a number of combined storm overflows on the sewer
network that discharge either directly or indirectly into the Burry Inlet. These protect
domestic properties from being flooded by sewage during heavy rainfall.
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history statement |
Since the 1990’s, there has been a great deal of investment in the sewage system along
the north shore of the Burry Inlet. Recent improvements have included the provision
of ultra-violet disinfection for some storm discharges and increased storm sewage
storage capacity. Within the Loughor estuary and the wider the Burry Inlet, there
are a number of storm, emergency, surface water outfalls and sewage treatment works
outfalls.
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investigations statement |
Natural Resources Wales works with Carmarthenshire County Council and Dŵr Cymru Welsh
Water to establish and reduce sources of pollution around Pembrey (Cefn Sidan) bathing
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).
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local authority statement |
Natural Resources Wales and Carmarthenshire County Council continue to work together
to improve bathing water quality at Pembrey (Cefn Sidan) beach.
Natural Resources Wales staff meet with local community groups, to ensure residents
are kept informed of possible issues impacting water quality and to discuss concerns.
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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. These algal blooms can occur
at any beach during the bathing season and are usually noticeable by a surface scum.
This beach has a history of such blooms.
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source |
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stw outfalls statement |
The main sewage treatment works serving Llanelli, is located at Bynea, about 14 kilometres
from the designated bathing water quality sampling point. Both the storm and the treated
effluent from this works are disinfected by the ultra-violet system. This ensures
protection of the bathing water quality. There is also a smaller sewage treatment
works nearby, serving Pembrey. This discharges treated sewage effluent, roughly 3
km from the designated sampling point.
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version string |
1 |
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zoi description |
Due to the flat topography of the catchment, there are no streams flowing over the
beach. The land nearest the beach, is a country park, operated by Carmarthenshire
County Council, consisting of extensive grassy areas and pine forest. Beyond the park,
the land is a combination of agriculture and residential housing.
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bathing water |
ukl1401-37700 |
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local authority |
Sir Gaerfyrddin - Carmarthenshire |
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standard language collection |
2014-37700:1
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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 |
ukl1401-37700_1-webres.jpg |
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