The 2011 bathing season results are released today and the figures are raising concerns at Surfers Against Sewage. Many beaches in England and Wales may be meeting woefully inadequate water quality standards set down 35 years ago, but this still leaves bathers exposed to significant numbers of sewage spills and possible serious health implications. Today SAS will brief Defra Minister Richard Benyon MP on their pioneering Sewage Alert Service. This service has delivered the public with unprecedented insight into how frequently raw sewage is discharged into the sea. Since May 2011 SAS has sent out 64,000 free real time sewage... Read more
Real time water quality warnings issued to safeguard users at 10 popular beaches
Surfers Against Sewage (SAS) flagship Sewage Alerts Service text message warnings kicked into action last weekend during heavy downpours at some of the most popular beaches in Wales and Southern England.
For the first time ever beach users were warned in real time during raw sewage discharges at popular beaches. SAS provided this vital water quality information FREE to beach users, surfers and watersports enthusiasts who had registered for SAS’s Sewage Alert Service text alerts. . The information was also updated live on SAS’s online... Read more
Surfers Against Sewage To Launch Free Real Time Sewage Alert Service At 55 Beaches UK Wide
SAS recently asked over 200 beach users all around the UK if they wanted to know when sewage is in the sea. A resounding 95% said YES. The good news is, from the start of the bathing season, (15th May), SAS’s revolutionary Sewage Alert Service will inform beach users in real time when raw sewage is discharged into the sea via Combined Sewer Overflows (CSOs). Providing beach users with these warnings constitutes a dramatic improvement in the provision of public information on sewage spills at some... Read more
SAS Are Ready To Provide Free Real Time Sewage Alerts For All Beach Users
At the start of the bathing season, May the 15th, we’re proud to be launching a new real time sewage warning system that will tell you exactly when sewage is being discharged into the sea at key locations around the UK. We have developed an online map that will automatically update you in real-time with information on combined sewer overflow (CSO) spills at surf spots. You’ll even be able to sign up for free text messages alerting you to sewage spills at some of our nation’s best... Read more
We currently have several live Protect Our Waves campaigns that we urgently need your support on. Spanning access issues, coastal development issues and pollution issues affecting some of the UK's best waves, we need YOU to add your voice to the growing wave of support to protect surf spots nationwide. Adding your support is vital to the campaign to protect waves and the UK’s coastline from the ever-increasing myriad of... Read more
Good things come to those who wait
A Surfers Against Sewage campaign victory, secured in the revised Bathing Water Directive was launched on the 25th of March by the Environment Agency with the publishing of beach profiles for bathing waters. These beach profiles highlight what forms of pollution the beach suffers from and identifies the discharge points.
As well as vital information on sewage discharge points, locations of Combined Sewer Overflows (CSOS) and other sewerage infrastructure, these bathing water profiles also include maps and a description of the beach.
SAS Campaign Director Andy Cummins says: “Bathing water profiles will not make the water cleaner, but... Read more
SAS are concerned to learn that Foundation of Environmental Education (FEE) is considering rewriting the rulebook to relax regulations on sewage discharges from Combined Sewer Overflows (CSOs). Our directors are writing to the director of FEE calling for Blue Flag beach users to be protected from raw sewage discharges and we need you to do the same. Scroll down to sign and send our letter.
We have learned that FEE is considering amending the criteria that beaches have to meet to achieve the coveted Blue Flag status including watering down criterion 28 relating to real-time public warnings when raw sewage is discharged from Combined... Read more
Clean water campaigners Surfers Against Sewage (SAS) warn the water industry there’s more to be concerned about than celebrate. Today Defra will release the 2010 bathing season results for the UK and both water companies and Government agencies will be quick to boast about an increase in beaches attaining the guideline standards. Whilst trying their hardest to divert attention away from 16 beaches failing the 34 year old, inadequate and outdated water quality standards and a reduction in beaches failing to attain the bare minimum mandatory standards.
SAS are urging the water industry not to believe their own press. Their achievements... Read more
Clean water campaigners Surfers Against Sewage (SAS) are celebrating this bank holiday Monday as Keep Britain Tidy commit to warning systems informing the public after sewage discharges on Blue Flag beaches. This commitment is a direct response to SAS exposing over 25% of the UK’s Blue Flags as currently failing to meet the imperative Blue Flag regulations and failing to warn the public after sewage spills. SAS are confident that next year’s Blue Flag beaches will provide beach lovers with an enhanced beach experience.
On 06/08/10 SAS raised their own brown flags on Blue Flag beaches that they believe have Combined... Read more
Clean water campaigners Surfers Against Sewage (SAS) are relieved to announce that the Ultra Violet (UV) treatment that renders sewage clean and safe has once again been turned back on at the popular Pease Bay, in time for the Scottish Bathing Season. SAS campaigners will be opening the beach with MSP John Lamont by cutting a giant ribbon.
Scottish Water turn off the UV treatment of the sewage discharged at Cove sewage treatment works sewage outside the bathing season. Turning off the UV treatment will result in an immense increase in the bacterial load of the sewage effluent discharged into the... Read more
