UK beach issues 'do not swim' warning for entire year after bacteria alert

22 February 2023 , 10:19

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St Mary's Bay, Romney Marsh, Kent is closed to swimmers (Image: KentLive)

A British beach has been slammed with a "Do not swim" alert after unsafe levels of bacteria were found in the water.

Faecal matter has been detected at St Mary's Bay on Romney Marsh in Kent by the Environment Agency meaning people are advised not to swim there throughout 2023.

The public body is now trying to work out what caused the bacterial spike, believing pollution is the probable cause of the issue.

An Environment Agency spokesman said: "[We] will continue to work with its partners to fully investigate the reasons for the decline in bathing water quality at St Mary's Bay.

The stretch is not suitable for swimmers (Getty Images)

"All agencies involved are working to identify, remove and reduce the sources of the pollution to ensure that the status of this bathing water improves.

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"As part of our investigations, we are monitoring several potential sources of pollution including septic tanks, misconnections and potential sources of diffuse pollution."

They also said water samples will be taken from the bay throughout the summer and if they improve the beach could re-open.

But they added that if bacteria levels do not meet minimum standards they will continue to warn the public against bathing at this location.

Earlier this year the Mirror revealed how raw sewage is flooding into rivers and waterways across large swathes of the UK.

More than 59 drains were on red alert, and were currently pushing untreated excrement into open water.

A further 60 drains were facing amber warnings, having discharged in the last 48 hours, the map - which can be viewed here - reveals.

The shocking figures are only for the area served by Thames Water - which covers everywhere from Banbury and Hertfordshire in the north of its region, to Dorking and Crawley in the south, and as far east as Swindon and Cirencester, as well as the capital.

It led to concern that the picture could be far worse across the entire UK.

Kelly-Ann Mills