This rural small, sandy cove is one of the flagship bathing waters in Ceredigion.
The bathing water is extremely popular with both tourists and residents alike. The
beach is backed by high cliffs and accessed by a series of steps. There is a small
stream which issues onto the beach but it is not thought to have any water quality
issues. There is a large car park owned by the National Trust at the top of the cliff
and a small caravan site nearby. Natural Resources Wales's designated sample point
is located to the centre of the beach.
Natural Resources Wales continues to work with Ceredigion County Council and Dŵr Cymru
Welsh Water to establish sources of pollution around the beach.
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).
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.
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 does not have a history of such blooms.
There is a small stream which issues onto the bathing water. It is not thought to
impact on water quality but will be monitored during the bathing season.
Should the agricultural practices in the catchment be seen to be causing an impact
on the bathing waters at Mwnt, Natural Resources Wales will endeavour to work with
the farming community to reduce the risks.
Should industrial practices in the catchment be seen to be causing an impact on the
bathing waters at Mwnt, Natural Resources Wales will endeavour to work with them to
reduce the risks.
Natural Resources Wales places a high value on public participation in helping to
identify environmental pollution.
Poorly maintained private sewage treatment facilities could be a source of pollution,
therefore the registration of all qualifying private sewage systems in Wales was required
by 30 June 2012. The primary aim of this exercise is to provide increased protection
for the environment and sensitive features such as bathing water beaches. Where discharges
from properties are identified in the catchment that are not on mains sewerage, Natural
Resources Wales will endeavour to ensure registration has been made, unless already
a permitted discharge.
The natural drainage (hydrological) catchment surrounding the bathing water is predominantly
agricultural. There is a small stream which runs onto the beach that drains agricultural
land and may contain sources of diffuse pollution during rainfall.
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 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.
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 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.