A sewage slick off South West Water's Towan Head outfall in Newquay has left a brown mark against an otherwise successful week of international surfing in the town.

The slick reported by local residents to Surfers Against Sewage (SAS) this morning is currently being investigated by the Environment Agency, but it is thought to be sewage sludge solids that have had to be discharged following high flows of waste water.

All sewage at the town's treatment works receives full treatment including ultra-violet disinfection, however full treatment of sludge can be made difficult as UV disinfection only works effectively on transparent liquid.

The outfall at Towan Head is located at the far northern end of Fistral beach which is currently drawing thousands of visitors, who are watching hundreds of surfers competing for international and national honours.

The sewage slick comes only a few weeks after sewage sludge was accidentally discharged off Towan Head following a hydraulic surge when high flows of waste water passed through Newquay's sewage treatment works.

Whilst Surfers Against Sewage recognise that water companies have problems at treatment works from time to time, this is the second sewage related incident to affect the town in only a few weeks and raises operational questions over the towns treatment works.

SAS's Richard Hardy said: "For this to happen during Newquay's premier surfing event of the year drawing thousands of visitors and the world's sporting media to the town is particularly disappointing. Many people believed regular sewage slicks to be a thing of the past in Newquay and water users will be particularly fearful for their future health following these two incidents".

In light of this incident SAS urges South West Water to take precautionary action with public information signs, until the Environment Agency's water quality samples have been analysed.

-ENDS-

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