Avoid swimming at 16 beaches following sewage discharge

Following a heavy rainfall event on June 20, a water pollution alert has been issued due to the discharge of storm sewage at 14 beaches across Dorset. This discharge may have negatively affected the bathing water quality at these locations​.

The environmental charity, Surfers Against Sewage (SAS), has advised swimmers and beach goers to avoid these spots to prevent exposure to and possible ingestion of sewage. The charity provides an interactive map on their website, which tracks real-time combined sewage overflows (CSOs) and pollution risk forecasts (PFRs) at over 450 locations around the UK’s rivers and coastlines​.

Warnings are typically issued when sewage has been discharged into the water within the last 48 hours. It is important to note that many coastal areas often do not report water quality data outside of the peak tourist season. Therefore, water safety cannot be guaranteed at any beaches not listed in these warnings​.

Here is the list of affected beaches as per the reports from SAS:

• Bournemouth Boscombe Pier – Bathing not advised due to the likelihood of reduced water quality.
• Bournemouth Pier – Storm sewage discharged from a sewer overflow within the past 48 hours.
• Weymouth Lodmoor – Storm sewage discharged from a sewer overflow within the past 48 hours.
• Bowleaze Cove – Bathing not advised due to the likelihood of reduced water quality.
• Bowleaze Cove Stream – Storm sewage discharged from a sewer overflow within the past 48 hours.
• West Bay – Storm sewage discharged from a sewer overflow within the past 48 hours.
• Castle Cove, Portland Harbour – Storm sewage discharged from a sewer overflow within the past 48 hours.
• Charmouth West – Bathing not advised due to the likelihood of reduced water quality.
• Chesil Cove at Chiswell – Storm sewage discharged from a sewer overflow within the past 48 hours.
• Christchurch Avon Beach – Storm sewage discharged from a sewer overflow within the past 48 hours.
• Friars Cliff, Christchurch – Storm sewage discharged from a sewer overflow within the past 48 hours.
• Hengistbury West, Bournemouth – Storm sewage discharged from a sewer overflow within the past 48 hours.
• Lyme Regis Front Beach – Bathing not advised due to the likelihood of reduced water quality.
• Poole Harbour Rockley Sands – Storm sewage discharged from a sewer overflow within the past 48 hours.
• Portland Harbour Sandsfoot Castle – Bathing not advised due to the likelihood of reduced water quality.
• Portland Harbour South – Storm sewage discharged from a sewer overflow within the past 48 hours.

Dorset Online urges its readers to stay updated with the latest information on water quality and safety advisories before deciding to go swimming or engage in other water-related activities. We encourage you to visit the Surfers Against Sewage website and utilise their interactive map, so you can swim, surf, paddle, or splash without the risk of getting sick.