Surfers Against Sewage (SAS) are disappointed to see that water quality at Trevaunance Cove, St Agnes has become worse following the publication of the 2002 bathing water results yesterday by DEFRA.

Although the beach still meets the EU's basic water quality standard (mandatory), the higher EU 'guideline' standard it achieved in 2001 has not been matched this year round.

Considering UV disinfection (full/tertiary level sewage treatment) is used at Trevaunance Cove SAS would expect the beach to consistently meet and exceed the EU's Guideline standard on bathing water quality.

SAS have recently expressed concern over water quality in the Cove and are seeking clarification from the Environment Agency as to why the beach failed to meet the EU 'Guideline' water quality standard 4 times over this year's bathing season?

We have asked the Environment Agency to check whether the Cove's failure to meet Guideline water quality occurred during periods of high rainfall and as a result sewage was combined with stormwater and discharged through the beach's Combined Sewer Overflow (C.S.O)? Since the bathing season has finished there have been further reports by local people indicating poor water quality in the Cove.

Richard Hardy, Campaigns Assistant at Surfers Against Sewage, says: "Trevaunance Cove was the birthplace of SAS and after much hard work and campaigning was given a state of the art sewage treatment works that would give year on year excellent water quality. This year's results are a real setback and we have to question the efficiency of the plant? We are calling on South West Water to make a full and immediate statement as to why water quality has suddenly become worse at this popular beach?"

For further information please contact Richard or Vicky on Tel: 01872 553001 or Mob: 07817 401480.

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