Water quality

To report an emergency pollution incident please call the Environment Agency hotline on 0800 807060.

More information on the standards can be found on the Environment Agency  website.

For information on general bathing water quality please see the European Union  website.

Further information on beach cleanliness and other marine standards can be obtained from the Marine Conservation Society  website.

Storm overflows are a necessary part of the combined sewer system, they take both foul water from homes and businesses, and rainwater runoff from roofs, roads, and driveways. Storm overflows protect homes, businesses and roads from flooding when the system becomes overwhelmed with excess rainwater, and are permitted and regulated by the Environment Agency.

For more information on recent storm releases from outfalls near coastal bathing waters please see Beach buoy (southernwater.co.uk)

Open water swimming refers to swimming in lakes, rivers and the sea, rather than at a swimming pool. Swimming in open water carries different risks to swimming in a pool.

For more information on how to reduce risks to health from open water swimming please see Swim healthy - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)