2023 Bathing Water Profile for Whitesands

http://environment.data.gov.uk/wales/bathing-waters/data/bathing-water-profile/ukl1403-38500/2023:1

bathing water description
Known locally as Porth Mawr, this sandy, west facing beach is approximately 700 metres in length, backed by limestone rocks and agricultural land. This beach is particularly popular with surfers and other water sport enthusiasts alike. There is a small stream which drains onto the beach from the agricultural land, below Carn Llidi. The coastal waters and coastal belt form part of the Pembrokeshire Marine Special Area of Conservation, confirming the high conservation status of the area. The bathing water also lies within Pembrokeshire Coast National Park. The designated sample point is located south of the car park.
county name
Pembrokeshire
ea investigations statement
Natural Resources Wales works to establish sources of pollution around Whitesands. Some of this work is carried out in partnership with Pembrokeshire County Council. 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 15th of May) and mid-season, if required (during the bathing water season).
eso outfalls statement
A project known as Event Duration Monitoring (EDM) is underway to install telemetry on Combined Sewer Overflows (CSOs) within 2km of a bathing water by 2020 so that Dŵr Cymru Welsh Water (DCWW) know when the CSOs are operating and can work to reduce spills. Two CSOs near Whitesands are included in the project.
history statement
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.
label
2023 Bathing Water Profile for Whitesands
local authority statement
Natural Resources Wales works with Pembrokeshire County Council and to ensure the water quality at Whitesands maintains its high standard.
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. Any misconnections are investigated by Pembrokeshire County Council. Historically misconnections have been identified and removed. 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 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 does not have a history of such blooms.
pollution risk forecasting
false
pref label
2023 Bathing Water Profile for Whitesands
stw outfalls statement
There are no sewage treatment works which discharge in the vicinity of this bathing water.
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 Whitesands, data are available for the four year assessment period from 2021-2024. Sewage debris was not observed at this bathing water. Animal faeces was not noted at this site. Trace amounts of litter were observed at the bathing water on less than ten per cent of occasions. Oil and tarry residues were not noted at this site.
working with farmers statement
Areas of pastureland, occupied by livestock, feature in the largely agricultural catchment behind the beach. Farms are inspected according to their level risk of polluting the bathing waters.
working with private owners statement
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.
zoi description
The small natural drainage (hydrological) catchment surrounding the bathing water is agricultural, with several scattered single dwellings.
applicable year
British Year:2023
bathing water
Whitesands
interval
interval
is version of
2023
local authority
Sir Benfro - Pembrokeshire
source
• row=0049
• row=0049
standard language collection
2023 Bathing Water Profile Standard Language
web res image
ukl1403 38500 1 webres.jpg