General Discussion
Torbay beaches remain closed to swimmers.
Torbay beaches remain closed to swimmers
09:00 - 04-August-2008
TWO of Torbay's prime beaches are still no go zones for swimmers because of contaminated water.
Sea water warning signs were put up on both Torre Abbey Sands and the Blue Flag Preston Beach on Friday, informing beach-goers of the poor water quality, and advising them it was unsafe to swim in the sea.
Torbay Council had hoped the signs would be able to come down at the weekend but Torre Abbey could not be given the all clear after further testing and Preston was still awaiting results yesterday.
The sea surrounding Torre Abbey Sands was empty yesterday afternoon.
Craig Pomeroy, who runs Torbay Ices at the beach said: “It has greatly affected our business. The sea temperature at the moment is ideal for swimming, it is flat and there is not one person in the sea.
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“On a normal Sunday in August, even with this weather you would expect to see a lot of children playing in the sea.”
The contamination was discovered by the Environment Agency after it undertook bathing water tests last week.
Recent heavy downpours are thought to be the cause of the below standard water causing untreated sewage to enter the sea via streams feeding into the Bay.
A council spokeswoman said: “We received the results of a second test of the sea water at Torre Abbey Sands on Saturday, which revealed that the water is still contaminated. The signs will remain up for the next few days.
“The Environment Agency says the downpour on Friday night did not help the situation.”
Preston beach also remains on the 'unsafe' list while the council wait for water analysis results to come back from the Environment Agency.
The spokeswoman for Torbay Council confirmed the warning signs would remain in place until the results were received.
The incident comes as a blow to the tourism industry who only last week reported a bumper start to the season.
Kes Osborne manager of the Premier Inn on Belgrave Road said: “It's a little blow. Our guests haven't been affected too badly and they are still getting their bats and balls out on the beach. We have been sending hoards of people to Quaywest and the Riviera Centre so others in the tourism industry might well have benefited.”
The alert came as the Marine Conservation Society hit out at the 'unregulated' system of overflow pipes which it says dump sewage into rivers and coastal waters.
The charity said about 3,500 'combined sewer overflows', which act as a flood-release mechanism for sewers carrying both sewage and storm water, were in urgent need of review.
It said they have not been properly investigated since being given temporary consent in the run-up to the privatisation of the water companies in 1989.
Coastal pollution officer Thomas Bell said: “The problem is that the sewer system was designed for a climate which is different from the one we have got now.
“Because of the effects of climate change we are having a lot more rain.
“The combined sewer overflows are starting to discharge a lot more often than they should. Their environmental impact is greatly increasing.”
2 comments. Last at: 04-Aug-2008 15:05
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The phrase "Clean Sweep" comes to mind. Isn't this why we pay the most expensive water rates in Britain. We were told that EU bathing water regulations required the residents of the South West, (3% of the population), had to pay to clean up 30% of the country's beaches. I think that questions need to be asked, or, because of "climate change," will we forced to pay even bigger water rates?
Dave, Paignton
commented on 04-Aug-2008 15:05
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So sad, especially since had the right sort of filtering equipment been installed in the first place there is no need in this day and age for coastal waters to become contaminated by raw sewage. Tanker spills being the obvious exception.
Mike Johnson, Toronto, Canada
commented on 04-Aug-2008 14:58
Congrats on learning how to do copy and paste today, did you get a gold star from your carer? Bless, I hope so.
Jesus, ***, you are SO boring. Do you suffer from autism or OCD? Your need to constantly repeat yourself seems to suggest that you are ill.
This week's bone that you won't let go of is obviously beaches. God, another 6 days to go of the same drivel. I dread to think what it's going to be next week. :-(
PS Why are you still posting as Anon?