UK's most polluted beaches mapped - with over 60 raw sewage warnings in place

04 January 2023 , 11:59

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Sewage was dumped into the ocean and rivers around the UK more than 770,000 times in 2020 and 2021 (Image: Getty Images)

Huge parts of Britain's coastline remain polluted by untreated sewage being pumped into the ocean - and the scale of the problem has been revealed in an updated map showing the grimmest beaches in the country.

The website Surfers Against Sewage continues to track real-time combined sewage overflows (CSOs), which helps monitor the water quality in areas across the country - including some of Britain's most popular beaches.

The group estimated "over 400,000 discharges of untreated sewage into UK rivers and almost 5,500 discharges into UK coastal bathing waters".

Surfers Against Sewage noted more than 60 warnings across the UK on Wednesday, January 4 and there have been over 320 since the New Year, according to data seen by the Independent.

There are warnings in place from Blackpool to Littlehampton, and Penzance to Druridge Bay in the Northeast for sewage discharges within the last 48 hours.

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Discharges occur in the seas around Britain's coast regularly and are allowed to happen when there is particularly heavy rainfall. This, water companies claimed, is in a bid to stop the sewage system from becoming overwhelmed.

UK's most polluted beaches mapped - with over 60 raw sewage warnings in place

Over 60 warnings are currently issued (SAS)

It has been heavily criticised and accusations of funding cuts and deregulation have been levelled at the government. Ministers argued they were working to tackle discharges and cut them by a quarter by 2025.

As a result, sewage can be discharged into popular bathing sites. In September, beaches like Hastings and Bognor Regis were suffering the impact of polluted waters.

Even the famous Blackpool beach is affected (Getty Images)

Which beaches are currently affected?

Northwest

Long considered one of Britain's most attractive beach locations, Blackpool beach is currently in the midst of a grim beach sewage problem.

According to Surfers Against Sewage, a "sewer overflow discharges straight onto the beach around the centre of this beach".

A string of beaches in the Northwest have been affected (SAS)

Beachgoers in September were warned against bathing in the area, due to a "pollution risk warning" issued by the Environment Agency.

The problem in the Northwest sees current pollution risk warning by the campaign group issued from Morecambe down to Southport on Merseyside.

South coast

The south coast is known for its picturesque beaches from the rocky coves of Cornwall to Kent's shingle bays - but none are exempt from sewage discharge.

There are numerous wanrings along the south coast (Getty Images)

There was a warning in place for Porthleven Sands in Cornwall. Visit Cornwall described the sandy strip as "three glorious miles of sand and steeply shelving shingle running east from the historic harbour."

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Sanders Against Sewage said: "There are three sewer overflows in the area, one discharges into the harbour, one to the east of the harbour mouth over the rocks into the sea, and another at the western end of Porthleven West."

Experts have blamed, in part, Britian's old sewage system which dates back to Victorian times (SAS)

Other beaches along the south coast include Senne in Cornwall, Goodrington in Devon, Langstone Harbour in Portsmouth, Littlehampton in West Sussex and Kent's Herne Bay.

In a statement in September, Southern Water said: "Rain can overwhelm the combined sewer and drainage system which exists in many parts of our region. To protect homes, schools and businesses from flooding, storm overflows act as a release valve and release excess water into the sea."

Watere companies have come under fire for releasing untreated sewage (Getty Images)

The company which operates in areas from Hampshire to Kent added: "These discharges are heavily diluted, typically being 95% rainwater."

East coast

Most areas on the east coast - including East Anglia, the East Midlands and the North East - are currently showing no water quality alerts, except for a few small exceptions.

Runswick Bay on the Yorkshire coast has two overflows causing water quality problems.