16 PEOPLE CLAIM SICKNESS FROM SURFING AND BATHING AT GWITHIAN BEACH OVER 4 DAY PERIOD.

Surfers Against Sewage (SAS) are investigating a possible pollution incident that affected Gwithian (Godrevy) beach following reports from 16 people who have claimed to have become sick after using the beach for surfing and swimming over a 4 day period from the 12th to 15th July.

One of the reports to SAS staff included a group from Mullion School who were using the beach for a watersports activity break. 12 out of 14 of the school children were reported as suffering diarroah and vomiting following time spent in the water there. The other reports of sickness were from surfers.

SAS have today learnt that the water quality sample taken by the Environment Agency preceding the reports (8th July) had shown a fall in water quality at Godrevy for the first time this bathing season - dropping from the EU 'guideline' standard to the 'mandatory' standard. Although this still passes minimum EU water quality standards it may be significant in terms of the unusually high number of people contacting SAS with their reports of illness.

South West Water have reported no operational failures with their wastewater treatment works, but the sewage is treated only to secondary level before being discharged through a long sea outfall of Gwithian beach, so is by no means 'state of the art'. Water quality can also be affected by a number of private discharges or pollution from agriculture run off and we are investigating these incidents further, looking at the Red River in particular.

SAS Campaigns Assistant Richard Hardy says: "This is significant and needs further investigation. We have reported the incident to the Environment Agency to try and identify why the water quality dropped that week and whether there were any pollution incidents recorded".

SAS is calling for a strengthening of water quality standards and a radical overhaul of the Bathing Water Directive. Current bathing water quality standards are 26 years out of date and don't reflect the health risks associated with using government passed beaches around the UK. We also want to see more real time information provided to the public which highlights when water quality may be poor at certain beaches so people are able to make more informed decisions about using the water for bathing or recreation.

Its important that people having seen a pollution incident contact the Environment Agency's Pollution Hotline so it can be investigated further. Tel: 0800 80 70 60.

For further information please contact Richard Hardy on Tel: 01872 553001

Back