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2023 Bathing Water Profile for Rhyl East

http://environment.data.gov.uk/wales/bathing-waters/data/bathing-water-profile/ukl1302-40650/2023:1

  • bathing water description
    <p>The beach is located approximately 1.5 kilometers north east of the River Clwyd, within a long sandy stretch of beach, which extends over 2.5 kilometres from the Clwyd Estuary to Splash Point. The beach has a large tidal range and is very gently sloping from the low tide mark towards the high tide area, which is bordered by a promenade. The water quality sample point is located opposite the car park to the west of The Rhyl Sun Centre.<p> <p>To view aerial footage, go to <a href="https://youtu.be/a73TT5IV3a8">https://youtu.be/a73TT5IV3a8</a>
  • county name
    Denbighshire
  • ea investigations statement
    NRW continues to work to identify and resolve sources of pollution around the Rhyl catchment. Some of this work is carried out in partnership with Denbighshire County Council and Dŵr Cymru Welsh Water. Investigations are carried out both pre-season (before the 15th of May) and mid season if required (during the bathing water season). In recent years, Dwr Cymru Welsh Water have installed ultraviolet treatment at Denbigh and Dyserth sewage treatment works, and increased storm sewage storage at Denbigh.
  • eso outfalls statement
    There are two significant intermittent discharges in the immediate Rhyl area. Westbourne Avenue Sewage Pumping Station discharges into the Clwyd Estuary, approximately 1 kilometre west of Rhyl Beach. Rhuddlan Network Tank discharges into the River Clwyd approximately four kilometres from Rhyl. Storage tanks are used during periods of high rainfall to store sewage that the works does not have the capacity to immediately treat. This stored sewage effluent is then treated when storm conditions have passed. There are many intermittent discharges of sewage in the wider Clwyd catchment. Improved storm storage at the sewage treatment works in Dyserth, Llandyrnog, Llanfair TH and Ruthin, minimises the number of spillages of intermittent storm sewage during periods of high rainfall. Equipment has also been installed at these sites to monitor the duration of those spills that do occur to ensure that any environmental impact is minimised.
  • history statement
    NRW has developed a good working relationship with Dŵr Cymru Welsh Water and liaises regularly to identify problems that could affect bathing water quality. Ultra violet (UV) disinfection was installed at Denbigh and Dyserth Sewage Treatment Works (STW) and new storm tanks were installed at Denbigh in October 2012.
  • local authority statement
    NRW and Denbighshire County Council have been working together to improve the bathing water quality at Rhyl for a number of years. This work includes tracing the sources of pollution from domestic toilet and utility misconnections that discharge to the private and public surface water system, and subsequently enter the River Clwyd itself or enter drains that discharge directly onto the bathing beach at Rhyl.
  • macro algae statement
    This bathing water does not have a history of large amounts of seaweed (macroalgae).
  • misconnections statement
    Wrongly connected waste water pipes can affect the water quality of rivers and the sea. Misconnections in the Rhyl area, and the wider Clwyd catchment, have been investigated and resolved, and any further suspected misconnections will be investigated as they arise.
  • 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.
  • pollution risk forecast statement
    This bathing water is subject to short term pollution. Short term pollution is caused when heavy rainfall washes faecal material into the sea from livestock, sewage and urban drainage via rivers and streams. At this site the risk of encountering reduced water quality increases after rainfall and typically returns to normal after 1-3 days. Natural Resources Wales makes daily pollution risk forecasts based on rainfall patterns and will issue a pollution risk warning if heavy rainfall occurs to enable bathers to avoid periods of increased risk. Natural Resources Wales works to reduce the sources of this pollution through pollution prevention measures, work with agriculture and water companies. At Rhyl East there were a total of 31 warnings of a pollution risk forecast during the 2024 bathing water season, with 2 samples being taken on a day that coincided with these warnings. These warnings were issued because of the effects of heavy rain on the water quality.
  • pollution risk forecasting
    true
  • pref label
    2023 Bathing Water Profile for Rhyl East
  • streams rivers statement
    Streams are typically affected by sewage, farming activity or industrial run off from further up the catchment. Monitoring of the River Clwyd has shown a reduction in bacterial levels in recent years. Previous work has included identifying where point source and diffuse pollution enters the river and its many tributaries, and carrying out work to reduce the effects.
  • stw outfalls statement
    Discharges from sewage treatment works have improved substantially in England and Wales since the 1980s. Kinmel Bay sewage treatment works discharges secondary treated final effluent through a 4 kilometre long outfall pipe into Liverpool Bay. The length of this outfall pipe was determined through water quality modelling, which predicted the discharge would not impact on nearby bathing waters at this distance. Inland, Rhuddlan sewage treatment works discharges tertiary-treated (ultra violet disinfection) effluent into the River Clwyd at Rhuddlan, whilst Dyserth sewage treatment works discharges tertiary-treated (ultra-violet disinfection) effluent into a tributary of the River Clwyd at Dyserth. St Asaph sewage treatment works discharges tertiary-treated (ultra violet) effluent into the River Clwyd just below the main town. Moving up river and further inland, Denbigh sewage treatment works also discharges tertiary-treated (ultra violet disinfection) effluent into the River Clwyd at Denbigh, as a result of recent improvements to the treatment works.
  • version string
    1
  • visible pollution statement
    Natural Resources Wales samplers make visual observations of the beach at every visit.  This includes assessments of sewage debris, animal faeces, litter and oil or tar. At Rhyl East, data are available for the four year assessment period from 2021-2024. Sewage debris was observed in trace amounts on less than ten per cent of occasions. Trace amounts of animal faeces were noted at the site on a minority of occasions. Trace amounts of litter were observed at the bathing water on between forty and fifty per cent of occasions. Oil and tarry residues were not noted at this site.
  • working with farmers statement
    In 2019-20, we worked closely with The Rivers Trust and Wlesh Water to complete further cacthment measures and further reduce agricultural bacteria input.
  • working with industry statement
    The project established in 2006 to improve water quality in the River Clwyd was also aimed at reducing the impact of industrial pollution. Industry in the valley is relatively low-key and is mostly associated with small industrial parks. The key concern therefore is to ensure that clean and dirty water is being disposed of correctly. One of the larger industrial sites is the creamery at Llandyrnog, which discharges trade effluent to the nearby sewage treatment works. The quality of the effluent is monitored using an environmental permit issued by NRW.
  • working with private owners statement
    The project established in 2006 to improve water quality in the River Clwyd involves NRW’s officers working with private operators to minimise the impact of their discharges on water quality. This work is continuing to address any potential pollution sources that could affect bathing waters, and involves where necessary, advisory mail drops, dye tracing, misconnection surveys and face to face meetings. Since 2009 work has been undertaken across a number of sub-catchments including the Bach, Glanfyddion Cut, and Ystrad, as well as the main Clwyd itself. Visits have been made to private properties and caravan sites to ensure that sewage effluent is being disposed of correctly. Poorly maintained private sewage treatment facilities could be a source of pollution, therefore the registration of all private sewage systems in Wales was required by 30 June 2012. The primary aim of registration is to provide increased protection for the environment, and also sensitive features such as bathing water beaches. Where properties are identified that are not on mains sewerage, NRW endeavours to ensure registration is made.
  • zoi description
    The natural drainage (hydrological) catchment immediately surrounding the bathing water is dominated by the large town of Rhyl. Rhyl is located next to the mouth of the River Clwyd, which drains the Vale of Clwyd. Within the Vale, farming is of major economic importance and dominates the land. The Vale also supports a number of towns and villages such as Ruthin, St Asaph and Denbigh.
  • bathing water

    Rhyl East

  • local authority
    Sir Ddinbych - Denbighshire
  • source
  • standard language collection

    2023 40650:1

    • 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.
    • eso outfalls general statement
      The majority of sewers in 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.
    • 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.
    • pollution management general statement
      It is 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. The following sections serve to highlight potential sources of pollution, conditions under which they may arise and measures being put in place to improve water quality.
    • stw outfalls general statement
      Discharges from sewage treatment works have improved substantially in Wales since the 1980s.
  • web res image
    ukl1302 40650 1 webres.jpg

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