Swimmers, surfers and
holidaymakers will benefit from plans to
tackle sources of pollution and further
improve water quality at over 160 bathing
water sites around England and Wales, the
Environment Agency announced today.
The government’s environmental
watchdog has helped secure a £4bn
investment by the water industry in environmental
improvements, including at bathing water
sites, between 2010 and 2015. Some 83 projects
will go forward to improve water quality
at 37 coastal locations, while scientific
investigation will help identify sources
of pollution at a further 44 sites.
In addition, water companies
will also be required to fit telemetry monitoring
equipment to over 340 sewer overflow pipes.
Combined sewer overflows (CSOs) allow excess
water and sewage to be released into the
sea or rivers during heavy rain or flooding.
This stops sewage from backing up into streets
and homes.
Last year, 98 per cent
of bathing waters passed mandatory EU water
quality checks, but a revised Bathing Water
Directive will require even tougher standards
from 2015.
Agricultural manure,
animal faeces, human sewage and runoff from
urban areas are the most common causes of
bathing water pollution. This summer, the
Environment Agency will use ground-breaking
technology to help pinpoint sources of pollution.
Dubbed ‘CSI Seaside’, Microbial Source Tracking
(MST) is a cutting-edge DNA technique to
identify the source of faecal and sewerage
pollution, enabling Environment Agency officers
to take action to protect bathing water
quality.
While new technologies
are used to identify the sources of pollution,
the Environment Agency works with the local
community to help develop specific solutions
for each location. With the help of farmers,
water companies, beach operators and environmental
groups, the Environment Agency is developing
targeted solutions to best meet the needs
of the local community and environment.
Chris Tuckett, the Environment
Agency’s bathing water lead, said:
“Bathing water quality
around England and Wales has improved dramatically
over the past 20 years but we are constantly
looking for new and innovative ways to do
more.
“New standards that
come into force in 2015 will set even more
ambitious targets and we are using the latest
technology available to help meet these
goals. By using cutting edge equipment and
the latest forensic techniques, we can help
pinpoint the exact causes of pollution and
tackle them.
“Everyone has a part
to play in improving bathing water quality.
As well as using new technology, we are
working with local communities to further
improve our bathing waters in the coming
years.”
ENDS
PHOTOGRAPHS OF ENVIRONMENT
AGENCY OFFICERS TESTING WATER ON BEACHES
AND PERFORMING LABORATORY ANALYSIS ARE AVAILABLE
ON DEMAND.
Media enquiries: Jason
Wakeford or Ken Hunt on 0207 863 8610 or
outside normal office hours, please contact
the National Duty Press Officer on 07798
882 092.
Notes to editors:
The Environment Agency monitors bathing
water quality at 494 bathing water sites
in England and Wales. The Environment Agency
takes 20 samples at every bathing water
site during the bathing season (May to September)
– approximately 1 per week at each site.
The quality of bathing water is assessed
by comparing the results of analysis against
the standards in the European Bathing Waters
Directive. The main standards are microbiological
parameters which indicate the presence of
faecal pollution from either human or animal
sources.
Rainfall during the
2009 bathing season in England and Wales,
was just above the long term average. 2009
was drier than the 2008 and 2007 bathing
seasons, which assisted in reducing the
amount of contaminants entering designated
bathing waters.
98.6 per cent of bathing
waters around England and Wales passed mandatory
EC water quality standards last year, up
2 per cent from 2008. 82.2 per cent of sites
met the more stringent EC guideline standard
– up from 71.7 per cent in 2008. 72.9 per
cent of beaches achieved the UK guideline
standard – up from 67.7 per cent in 2008.
+ More
Otters left dead after
illegal fishing on nature reserve
Two otters have been
left dead after anglers illegally fixed
nets in an Environment Agency nature reserve
and in the River Hull.
High Eske Nature Reserve
at Tickton, near Beverley, is an important
spawning ground for coarse fish, such as
pike, perch, carp and bream in the River
Hull and angling is strictly controlled.
Fishing with nets at
the reserve is prohibited and the illegal
nets snared two otters so that they were
unable to escape. Both otters had been dead
for some time.
Walkers found the trapped
otters yesterday afternoon and raised the
alarm with the Environment Agency. The RSPCA,
Environment Agency fisheries enforcement
officers and Humberside Police’s wildlife
crime officer attended the scene and gathered
evidence, including retrieving the dead
otters and seizing the nets.
“Illegal angling has
become an increasing problem at the reserve
in recent months,” said Environment Agency
team leader Phil Young.
“Use of this type of
nets is illegal and in this location has
resulted in the death of two otters.
“We want residents and
birdwatchers to be able to enjoy the reserve
and its wildlife and would appeal to any
responsible visitors to immediately report
anything suspicious that they see by calling
our incident hotline on 0800 80 70 60.”
Sgt Dave Jenkins of
Humberside Police said: "I have lived
in this area all my life and spent a lot
of time along the banks of this river and
never had the pleasure of seeing an otter.
They are something of a rarity, so to find
two dead ones is quite devastating to the
reintroduction of otters into this area.
“What makes matters far worse is that their
deaths were totally unnecessary and caused
by people who have placed nets both in the
river and nearby pond to illegally catch
eels.
“We shall be working with the Environment
Agency and RSPCA to ensure that something
like this does not happen again and if we
can identify the person or persons who placed
the nets we will be looking to prosecute
those offenders."
RSPCA inspector Geoff
Edmond said: ”I’m appalled by what’s happened
here. Otters are just beginning to re-establish
themselves in East Yorkshire which makes
it all the more tragic that two of their
number have been killed in this way.
“They are fully protected
under the Wildlife and Countryside Act and
we are working hard to find out who was
responsible. Anyone with any information
should call the RSPCA cruelty line on 0300
1234 999 and ask to leave a message for
me.”
The nature reserve is
a former clay pit which originally provided
clay to raise and strengthen flood banks
alongside the River Hull. The 30-acres site
is next to Pulfin Bog SSSI (Site of Special
Scientific Interest), one of the few remaining
pieces of fenland in the area, which is
managed by Yorkshire Wildlife Trust.
Over the past 20 years,
High Eske Nature Reserve has become a home
for many types of ducks and geese, as well
as barn owls. Little egrets, a species rarely
seen in the UK, also have been spotted.
Environment Agency advises
people to stay safe near water
Summer is here, the weather is warming up,
and school holidays are fast approaching.
With this in mind, the Environment Agency
is advising the public to take care when
out and about on their local river.
Rivers are great places
to have fun, enjoy nature and spend time
with friends and family, and the warm weather
will lead many people to the banks of the
rivers and lakes in the Thames region. However,
water can contain hazards, particularly
in and around structures such as bridges,
and the Environment Agency is advising people
not to take unnecessary risks while trying
to cool off.
Russell Robson, principal
recreation officer for the Environment Agency,
said: "The River Thames and the wider
waterways network are popular places to
visit during the summer. However, we need
to make sure we enjoy them safely.
“We have worked hard
over the last few years to get the safety
message out to children and parents, stressing
that people stay away from the edge, that
children must be accompanied by an adult
and swimming should be confined to recognised
swimming areas, pools and lidos.
“Supervised activities
offer the best way for children to enjoy
the waterways and a wide range of these
can be found on our website www.visitthames.co.uk."
The Environment Agency
has provided some information to consider
when planning your days our and holidays,
whilst still having fun and being safe:
Top tips
Don't jump or dive in
as the depth may vary and there can be unseen
hazards such as shallow water, broken glass
or other sharp objects.
Don't go in near weirs, locks, pipes and
sluices. These and some other water features
are often linked with strong currents -
these dangers can often be beyond the ability
of even good swimmers to cope with safely.
Do take notice of any
safety information, warning signs or flags.
Know what the signs mean and do as they
advise.
Be aware that inland
waters can be very cold no matter how warm
the weather. Those going into cold water
can get cramp and experience breathing difficulties.
Never venture out onto ice covered lakes,
ponds or canals.
Think about the hazards
near the waters edge. Banks can be unstable
and suddenly collapse. They can also be
very slippery when wet and if you fall in
it is often difficult to get out of the
water.
Use appropriate safety
equipment for your activity - this could
include a life jacket or a buoyancy aid
and other safety wear such as a helmet.
Consider the dangers
of using airbeds, inner tubes and other
floatation devices. They can be carried
away by currents or blown by the wind into
deep water and may not keep you afloat.
Consuming alcohol may
severely impair your ability and judgment
when on or in water. If you have been drinking
think twice about your safety and of those
you may put at risk trying to rescue you.
Get trained in life
saving and resuscitation techniques and
know what to do in an emergency.
Parents and guardians
can help keep children in their care safe
by:
• Teaching them to swim
• Warning them not to go into water alone,
or unsupervised
• Ensuring they know where the children
are and what they are doing
• Supervising them closely when near any
open water
Remember drowning can occur very quickly
even in shallow water and the key to keeping
safe is not to get into difficulty in the
first place. Be extra careful when in or
near water - your options in an emergency
are very limited and you should not rely
on safety equipment being present.
