Bathers urged to check water quality in the East this summer
The Environment Agency is urging bathers to check water quality before taking a dip in rivers and beaches this summer. The agency is taking samples from 451 bathing waters throughout England between 15 May and 30 September - on the look out for levels of two particular types o bacteria.In the East, samples will be taken from 43 bathing spots, from The Wash in Norfolk to West Mersea in Essex - and including the Stour Estuary, the Deben in Waldringfield, Suffolk - and the River Cam in Cambridge.Andrew Raine, the agency's area environment manager, said: "I'm a keen conservationist, keen on wildlife. I'm very keen that we improve further our water quality both in rivers and in bathing waters."
He said more than 7,000 water samples were taken each year, with the majority in the East rated excellent. According to the EA, anything above 1,000 colonies per 100ml is poor. Speaking in Sheringham, Norfolk, he said: "In England, 92% of our bathing waters are above the guidelines set by the WHO for safe bathing water swimming."
Scientists test for two types of bacteria - E-coli and intestinal enterococci - which can be harmful in large quantities to humans. Samples are taken from 30cm (12in) below the water surface in bathing areas, with the results published within two to five days.
'Urban run-off'
In Sheringham the water quality has been rated as excellent in samples taken between 2021 and 2024. So far this year, 15 samples have been collected from this location.However, the agency advises against swimming in three areas in the East: Heacham, in Norfolk, Clacton, in Essex, and at Sheep's Green on the Cam in Cambridge. Sheep's Green was one of 27 sites in England to receive designated bathing water status in May 2024 but is rated as having poor water quality. Mr Raine added: "I wouldn't advise swimming after a heavy downpour as you'll see lots of urban run-off from streets and pavements, you'll see run-off from agricultural land and you also could potentially get sewage spills."Water companies have done huge investments over the past few years to make sure that that most of the sites around our coast have ultra violet filtration and treatment so that kills 99% of the bacteria. "If bacteria has got into the water, it can still have an impact." He said people should also consider if the beach they are visiting has Blue Flag status. You can check bathing water quality on the Environment Agency's Swimfo website
Follow East of England news on X, Instagram and Facebook: BBC Cambridgeshire, BBC Essex, BBC Norfolk, or BBC Suffolk.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Independent
14 minutes ago
- The Independent
Map: Where second UK heatwave of 2025 will hit as temperatures set to soar to 32C
Britons are set to bask in another heatwave as temperatures rise to 30C this weekend and get even hotter into next week. Unsettled conditions on Thursday and Friday will still see temperatures steadily rise, with highs potentially reaching 28C in the south and east by Friday, the Met Office said. Thunderstorms are possible with warm, humid air set to linger in the south and east on Thursday, with maximum temperatures of 27C in eastern England, the forecaster added. But temperatures are unlikely to feel 'quite as muggy', meteorologist Honor Criswick said. 'For the first part of the day, it is set to be unsettled (with) outbreaks of quite heavy rain at times, particularly across Scotland,' he said. 'But it's fairly fast moving, so by the time we reach the afternoon, particularly from the west, we're going to see the return of those bright and sunny spells. 'And behind this area of rain, a much fresher feel to the air as well.' On Friday, forecasters said the unsettled conditions look set to continue. According to the Met Office, rain could be heavy in the west, while the east of England could remain dry, escaping with some sunny intervals. Parts of the south and east may also remain very warm, with highs potentially reaching 28C as the muggy air returns. Temperatures are expected to peak on Monday when much of the country will see temperatures in the early to mid-30s, the UK Health Security Agency said. It comes as the UKHSA issued an amber heat health alert, covering London, the East Midlands, South East, South West and East of England. It is in place from midday on Friday and will last until 6pm on Tuesday. The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) also issued a yellow alert for Yorkshire and Humber and the West Midlands for the same time period, with the agency warning of significant impacts across health and social care services. Going into next week, a low pressure system passes to the north west of the UK on Monday bringing wetter windier conditions to the region. There will be dry and hot weather elsewhere across the country with temperatures reaching 32C in London and the south east, the Met Office forecast shows. Dr Akshay Deoras, a research scientist in the department of meteorology, University of Reading, urged people to 'treat extreme heat with the same respect you'd show a dangerous storm.' He advised against going outdoors during the hottest part of the day and stressed the importance of staying hydrated – drinking water regularly, even without feeling thirsty, and avoiding alcohol, which 'can accelerate dehydration.' To stay cool, he recommended wearing loose, light-coloured clothing and using a wide-brimmed hat when outside. People were also urged not to brush off symptoms such as dizziness, nausea, rapid heartbeat or headaches. 'These warning signs can rapidly escalate into life-threatening heatstroke if ignored,' he said. Anyone experiencing these symptoms should move to a cooler area, remove excess clothing and apply cold water to the skin, he added.
Sky News
42 minutes ago
- Sky News
Carrie Johnson admitted to hospital over 'severe dehydration'
Carrie Johnson - the wife of former prime minister Boris Johnson - has revealed she was admitted to hospital with severe dehydration, as she offered advice to other breastfeeding mothers in the hot weather. Mrs Johnson, 37, posted a picture of herself and her newborn daughter Poppy Eliza Josephine on Friday in a hospital bed. "Being hospitalised for two nights for severe dehydration was not on my postpartum bingo card," she captioned the Instagram post. Mrs Johnson urged other "breastfeeding mums" to make sure they eat and drink enough "in this heat", especially those who are "clusterfeeding". Poppy was born on 21 May, becoming the couple's fourth child after their son Frank, born in July 2023, daughter Romy, born in December 2021, and son Wilfred, born in April 2020. In a separate Instagram story, Mrs Johnson described an "honestly brutal week". "Mastitis (me), reflux (her), dehydration (me). What a pair we are!," she said. "But thank you for all the kind messages, especially all the brilliant advice on reflux. Really appreciate it and made me feel way less alone going thru (sic) it all. And as ever, thanks to our amazing NHS." The NHS recommends drinking plenty of fluids while breastfeeding - and avoiding caffeine and alcohol to stop their effects being passed on to the baby. Having a drink nearby when mothers stop to feed is advised, as is water, lower-fat milk, and low-sugar drinks. The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has issued an amber heat health alert for the next four days. Although not a public weather warning, it advises health and social care organisations of possible dangers to their patients and facilities. Temperatures could reach 34C on Monday - with a 20% chance of beating the hottest June day on record of 35.6C from 1976. The likelihood of record-breaking temperatures could increase over the weekend as the day approaches.
The Sun
an hour ago
- The Sun
The 8 reasons you have awful hangovers even after just TWO drinks – and the must-do hacks to avoid it
APEROL spritz at the Saturday BBQ, rosé after work and G&Ts in the garden - summer is here, but with booze comes the dreaded 'next day'. What's worse, is that sometimes, it can only take a couple of drinks to feel the effects of a hangover. 7 Laura Jennings, nutritionist and founder of the NutriMethod tells Sun Health that typically, a hangover sets in as the blood alcohol level starts to drop, often peaking when there's no alcohol left in the system. ' Hangovers can last for up to 24 hours,' she adds. But, there are some reasons why you might end up suffering the next day, even if you kept your alcohol intake to a minimum… 1. You're dehydrated DRINKING water is the number one rule of avoiding a hangover. So, if you're not doing it, there's your first clue as to why you feel it even after a couple. While drinking water won't stop you getting a hangover, it could help reduce the severity of your symptoms, Laura says. She adds: 'Alcohol acts as a diuretic, meaning it encourages your body to lose more water through urine. 'It does this by blocking the antidiuretic hormone vasopressin, which normally helps your body regulate water excretion. 'As a result, you can become dehydrated and that alone can cause symptoms like fatigue, headache and dry mouth.' Make sure you're hydrated throughout the day, not just when you're drinking alcohol. Aim for 1.5 to two litres of water each day. When drinking, use the 'zebra striping' method - one alcoholic beverage, one water. And make sure to hydrate on route home. 2. Your drinks are dark NOT all alcohol affects you the same way when it comes to hangovers. 'Clear spirits such as vodka and gin tend to cause fewer symptoms because they contain lower levels of congeners, which are compounds produced during fermentation and distillation,' says Laura. Darker drinks like whiskey and brandy are higher in these by-products, which can make hangovers feel worse. In people who are susceptible, a spike in histamine and serotonin can lead to symptoms such as flushing, headaches or nasal congestion Laura Jennings nutritionist and founder of the NutriMethod 'Some of these congeners, like methanol, can be broken down into toxic substances such as formaldehyde and formic acid in the body,' says Laura. 'Thankfully, our body has enzymes that help clear these toxins out, but if you've had a lot to drink, or you're dehydrated, the system can get overwhelmed, which may contribute to the severity of a hangover.' 3. You drink red over white IF you're a red wine over white kind of a drinker then your hangover might be worse. Red wine has more of those pesky congeners than white, Laura says, adding: 'Red wine also contains more histamine and serotonin-releasing compounds than white wine or spirits like vodka. 'In people who are susceptible, this spike in histamine and serotonin can lead to symptoms such as flushing, headaches or nasal congestion, often mistaken for classic hangover effects.' She adds that red wine also contains more quercetin, a polyphenol (antioxidant) found in significantly higher amounts in red wine. Research in the journal Scientific Reports suggests that quercetin might interfere with alcohol metabolism, especially in people with a variant of the enzyme ALDH2 (aldehyde dehydrogenase 2). 'This enzyme helps break down acetaldehyde, a toxic byproduct of alcohol,' Laura says. 'If this process is slowed or impaired, acetaldehyde can build up, leading to more severe hangover symptoms like headache, nausea and fatigue.' 4. Your diet is filled with UPFs ULTRA-PROCESSED FOODS, such as cereals, processed meats, cakes, chocolate, crisps, ice-cream and fizzy drinks, could make your hangover worse. Laura says: 'These foods provide little in the way of protective micronutrients and can amplify inflammation and blood sugar swings, both of which can intensify hangover symptoms.' Drinking alcohol can mess with your blood sugar because it makes it harder for your body to produce glucose. 'This can lead to dips in blood glucose, which might explain why people feel shaky, tired or irritable after drinking,' says Laura. Drinking on an empty stomach could also make your hangover worse. But, on the flip side, Laura adds: 'Eating nutrient-dense, whole foods rich in B vitamins and minerals like zinc before drinking may help take the edge off a hangover.' Research in the journal of Clinical Medicine found that vitamin B3 and zinc play a pivotal role in reducing the severity of hangovers, especially when it comes to symptoms like nausea and vomiting. 'These nutrients are involved in alcohol metabolism and help the body break down acetaldehyde, the toxic by-product of alcohol that contributes to hangover symptoms,' explains Laura. 'Foods rich in zinc include legumes, nuts, seeds, whole grains and shellfish, while B3 can be found in poultry, brown rice, mushrooms and fortified cereals. Including these foods in your meals before drinking could help support your body's detox pathways.' 7 7 5. You're relying on hangover supplements THERE'S a lot of hangover supplements on the market which make promising claims. Have you given them a go, only to find you are still hungover, even after just two drinks? That's because most of these supplements aren't backed by strong scientific evidence, says Laura. 'While a few small studies have looked at individual ingredients that may help with specific symptoms like nausea or headaches, there's currently no solid, peer-reviewed research in humans to confirm that these products are safe or consistently effective at preventing or treating hangovers,' she says. So while you might benefit from some minor symptom relief, there's no proven supplement that can reliably prevent or cure a hangover. 6. It's your medications IF you're taking medications, these could have an impact on how your body metabolises alcohol, which could make your hangover worse. 'These include some pain relievers such as acetaminophen, NSAIDs (medicines that relieve pain, reduce inflammation and bring down a high temperature, such as ibuprofen and aspirin) and some antidepressants,' says Dr Mohammed Najjar, Medical Director of Jorja Healthcare Group. Some medications require you to avoid alcohol at all costs. Dr Najjar recommends speaking to your GP if you're concerned. 7. You're a woman GENETICS do play a role in how you metabolise alcohol. Dr Najjar says: 'Although men and women tend to metabolise alcohol at approximately the same rate, women appear to have a higher rate of alcohol elimination.' This can mean women feel the effects of alcohol more strongly. 'This could be due to a number of factors such as the smaller lean body mass in women which leads to higher alcohol concentration per unit of lean body mass, and also due to the fact that women have less body water and lower levels of alcohol dehydrogenase, an enzyme that metabolises alcohol,' adds Dr Najjar. The menstrual cycle can impact how severe a hangover is. Dr Najjar says that some women notice their hangovers are worse during the luteal phase (the week before your period). 'Levels of the hormone progesterone levels increase significantly during this phase, and oestrogen levels also remain elevated,' says Dr Najjar. 'It's possible that these hormone changes can cause more acetaldehyde to remain in the body after drinking alcohol which can result in hangover symptoms.' Surprising hangover cures If you've woken up with a groggy head and an aching body from a day or night on the booze, you need to nourish your body to help it regain strength. Unhealthy, high calorie foods could derail you weight loss efforts as well as make the hangover worse. Shona Wilkinson, Nutritionist at says: 'Excessive alcohol consumption damages your liver. To detox your liver and alleviate nasty hangover symptoms such as nausea, headaches, and dehydration, try some of the below ingredients.' Onions and garlic Both of these foods contain a nutrient called sulphur, according to Shona, which is essential in liver detoxification. 'Toxins in the body essentially join to the sulphur and are then excreted from the body.' Lemon peel Adding some lemon peel to a glass of water or shaving some onto your food could help alleviate some of your hangover symptoms. Shona says: 'Lemon peel contains a substance called limonene, which helps your body to detoxify itself by removing carcinogens from the body. 'There is research that suggests lemon peel may even offer an effective solution to migraines and headaches, given that it's a great source of Vitamin C.' Grapefruit It's the substance naringin in grapefruits, which helps to protect the liver from all kinds of damage. Shona says: 'There are a lot of medicines out there that don't mix too well with grapefruit however, so consult your GP before adding too much grapefruit into your diet if you're on any prescribed medications.' Pickle juice An odd one, but pickle juice is packed with electrolytes like sodium and potassium, which Shona says are essential in a whole host of the body's vital processes. She says: 'Electrolytes help to keep us hydrated by regulating the amount of water in our cells to ensure they're able to function properly. 'If you're hungover, it's the perfect remedy.'
