Symptoms of entering polluted water you need to know as 54 UK beaches on alert

16 July 2023 , 00:49

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The warning comes after days of torrential rain

Beaches in the UK have been hit with an urgent health warning.

As many as 54 are believed to be affected by sewage pollution putting thousands at risk over the coming days.

Following days of torrential rain, the weather conditions have caused a "storm sewage" overload, according to Surfers Against Sewage (SAS). Up to 33 Cornish beaches are now on "sewage pollution alert" as well as a "pollution risk forecast" for 21 other hotspots.

It's thought that as much as 80 per cent of beaches in the region are polluted. An SAS spokesman said: "storm sewage has been discharged from a sewer overflow in this location within the past 48 hours."

Popular spots such as Polzeath, Penzance and Falmouth are affected by the warning, with more rain set to hit the coast in the coming days.

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What is the cause of the pollution?

Urban run off can cause many harmful substances like oil, human and animal waste, fertilisers and pesticides to get into waterways before remaining on the surface of the sea.

And with these harmful contaminants largely remaining on the sea's surface it can make it dangerous to enter the water, reports Cornwall Live.

Experts at Surf Today advised waiting at least 72 hours before entering the sea again after it rains. They claimed the water could still potentially be contaminated with fecal matter, which can lead to illnesses if swallowed.

Related symptoms could include nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, cramps, inflamed stomach and intestines.

Full list of the 54 beaches affected

• Kingsand
• Cawsand
• Portwrinkle
• Downderry
• Seaton
• Millendreath
• East Looe
• Readymoney Cove
• Polkerris
• Par Sands
• Shorthorn Beach
• Charlestown
• Duporth
• Porthpean Beach
• Pentewan
• Portmellon
• Gorran Haven Little Perhaver
• Porthluney
• Pendower
• Porthcurnick
• Gyllyngvase
• Swanpool
• Maenporth
• Porthallow
• Porthoustock
• Coverack
• Kennack Sands
• Polurrian Cove
• Poldhu Cove
• Perranuthnoe
• Marazion
• Long Rock
• Penzance
• Wherry Town
• Porthgwidden
• Porthkidney
• Gwithian Towans
• Godrevy Towans
• Portreath
• Trevaunance Cove
• Perranporth
• Crantock
• Fistral South
• Fistral North
• Porth
• Mawgan Porth
• Porthcothan
• Harlyn Bay
• Trevone Bay
• Polzeath
• Trebarwith Strand
• Crackington Haven
• Summerleaze
• Crooklets.

Hannah Kane