Measuring approximately 2 kilometres in length, this isolated beach is sandy, with
a pebble bank above the high tide mark, backed by steep limestone cliffs. Marloes
Sands faces south east into the Bristol Channel, towards Stockholm island. The surrounding
land is predominantly agricultural, with the small town of Marloes located 1.3 kilometres
north west of the bay. The coastal waters and coastal belt form part of the Pembrokeshire
Marine Special Area of Conservation and is also designated as Special Site of Scientific
Interest, confirming the high conservation status of the area. The bathing water also
lies within Pembrokeshire Coast National Park. The water quality sample point is located
at the centre of the bay.
Natural Resources Wales has developed a good working relationship with Dŵr Cymru Welsh
Water and liaises regularly to identify problems that could affect bathing water quality.
Natural Resources Wales works with Pembrokeshire County Council and Marloes & Dale
Community Council, to maintain the excellent bathing water quality at Marloes Sands.
Natural Resources Wales and Pembrokeshire County Council have been working together
to monitor and maintain the bathing water quality at Marloes for a number of years.
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 runs onto the beach. The water quality of this stream
is usually very good, but may deteriorate during periods of heavy rainfall.
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.
Natural Resources Wales places a high value on public participation in helping to
trace sources of environmental pollution. Natural Resources Wales welcomes any comments
or information from the pubic with regards to environmental pollution.
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.
