Water quality ratings at 44 North Wales beaches show best and worst for swimming
Many beaches in Wales already meet stringent standards, with 75 out of 110 designated bathing sites rated 'excellent' (68%). However, among the designated bathing beaches in North Wales, this proportion falls to 52%.
Some Welsh beaches don't come up to scratch at all. Two have 'poor' ratings – Ogmore-by-Sea in the Vale of Glamorgan and Rhyl Central beach in Denbighshire.
Rhyl Central suffers for being next to the mouth of the River Clwyd, where sewerage outfalls and livestock pollution are a constant challenge. NRW has already spent heavily on preventative measures here, such as livestock fencing, and it is now promising further 'targeted action'.
Another sub-par beach is Llandudno's North Shore. - the scene of a 12-year battle to restore sand to a foreshore now mostly covered by stones. Its water quality is rated only 'sufficient' - just one grade above Rhyl Central, where a no-swim warning has been issued.
Trace amounts of sewage debris and animal faeces are occasionally found on the North Shore, while small amounts of litter are observed regularly. A recurring issue at the prestige resort is 'misconnections' – when waste water pipes from toilets and washing machine are plumbed into surface drains instead of the sewage system. This effluent is then discharged directly to the environment.
After years of work with local property owners, NRW believes misconnections no longer threaten bathing water quality. Neither are local farms and campsites thought to be sources of sea pollution. Nevertheless, NRW said it is continuing to work with Conwy Council to improve matters.
Also considered merely 'sufficient' was Cemaes, Anglesey. Testing found high bacteria loads and monitoring identified the possible source as Afon Meddanen, a tributary of the River Wygyr. As a result, extra fencing has been added to nine riverside farms and more fencing work on the Meddanen was completed earlier this year..
Beach water quality ratings are compiled using four years of testing data. By averaging out the figures over four years, the idea is to give a truer picture for swimmers.
At the start of each year, beach waters are checked for obvious signs of pollution, and to ensure any permitted discharges are operating correctly.
Ceri Davies, NRW's interim CEO said: 'Much progress is being made, and after securing record levels of investment for the environment from water companies through the price review process, we will be pressing for investment in assets affecting our bathing waters, to safeguard their future health.'
Wales now has 112 designated bathing sites – last week, Lisvane and Llanishen reservoirs in Cardiff were added to the list. They join another reservoir used by swimmers, Rhyl's Marine Lake.
Poor
Rhyl Central, Denbighshire
Sufficient
Llandudno North Shore, Conwy
Cemaes, Anglesey
Good
Denbighshire
Prestatyn Central
Rhyl East
Marine Lake, Rhyl
Kinmel Bay (Sandy Cove)
Conwy
Abergele (Pensarn)
Colwyn Bay
Llandudno West Shore
Anglesey
Llanddona
Benllech
Traeth Lligwy
Trearddur Bay
Borth Wen
Gwynedd
Porth Nefyn
Abersoch
Criccieth
Excellent
Conwy
Colwyn Bay (Porth Eirias)
Penmaenmawr
Llanfairfechan
Anglesey
St David's - Benllech
Porth Swtan (Church Bay)
Porth Dafarch
Silver Bay, Rhoscolyn
Rhosneigr
Aberffraw
Llanddwyn, Newborough
Gwynedd
Find the weather forecast where you live
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Powys County Times
17 hours ago
- Powys County Times
25 Powys schools awarded for promoting Welsh language
25 schools across Powys have been recognised for promoting the Welsh language. The schools earned awards as part of the Siarter Iaith/Welsh Language Charter, a national scheme that encourages the use of Welsh at school, at home and in the community. The charter operates through a three-tier award system, bronze, silver, and gold, and recognises schools for building a 'strong Welsh ethos' Schools on this year's list have taken a range of steps, including daily Welsh assemblies, and incorporating Welsh as part of playground games, and community events. Councillor Pete Roberts, cabinet member for a learning Powys, said: "We are incredibly proud of the dedication shown by our schools in nurturing a love for the Welsh language. "These Siarter Iaith awards are a testament to the hard work of pupils, staff, and families who are helping to ensure that Cymraeg thrives in Powys. "We remain fully committed to supporting the Welsh Government's vision of reaching one million Welsh speakers by 2050, and the success of our schools in this programme is a vital step toward that goal. "Llongyfarchiadau i bawb." Two Welsh-medium schools achieved the gold award: Ysgol Llanbrynmair and Ysgol Glantwymyn. Ysgol Llanrhaeadr-ym-Mochnant earned the silver award. Siarter Iaith: Cymraeg Campus is a parallel programme tailored for English-medium schools. The following schools achieved their Siarter Iaith: Cymraeg Campus awards: Gold Award Penygloddfa C.P. School Carreghofa C.P. School Crickhowell School Arddleen C.P. School Radnor Valley C.P. School Ysgol Bro Tawe Llansantffraid Church in Wales School Silver Award Berriew C.P. School Ysgol Llanfyllin Rhayader Church in Wales Controlled School Ysgol Y Cribarth Franksbridge C.P. School Ysgol Meifod Llanfaes C.P. School Llanfechain Church in Wales School Treowen C.P. School St Mary's Catholic School Abermule C.P. School Sennybridge C.P. School Builth Wells C.P. School Bronze Award
South Wales Argus
3 days ago
- South Wales Argus
Free summer scheme returns to schools across Wales
The Food and Fun programme returns for the school holidays, offering children free activities and nutritious meals throughout the summer break. This year marks the 10th anniversary of the scheme, which first began as a pilot in Cardiff before expanding across Wales. Lynne Neagle, Wales' cabinet secretary for education, said: "The 'Food and Fun' School Holiday Enrichment Programme has helped tens of thousands of families over the last decade, providing free nutritious meals and enriching activities across the country. "I am very proud to mark this special anniversary by visiting the very successful and popular Pantside Primary Food and Fun scheme." The programme, now delivered in around 230 schools across all 22 Welsh local authorities, is fully funded by the Welsh Government and coordinated by the Welsh Local Government Association (WLGA). More than 14,000 places will be available each day during the holidays, with each scheme offering at least 12 days of support. Since its launch, the scheme has provided more than 800,000 free places for children. Each day includes a healthy breakfast and lunch, along with activities ranging from cookery and sports to music and den building. Schools invite families to sign up during the summer term, and each scheme hosts a weekly family meal to bring communities together. This year, the Welsh Government has allocated more than £5.8 million to the programme, including an additional £1 million in funding. To celebrate the 10-year milestone, Ms Neagle visited Pantside Primary School to take part in the scheme. During her visit, she joined a cooking session where children made fruit kebabs, played a game of cricket, and enjoyed a healthy lunch. Ms Neagle said: "The summer holidays can be a challenging time for families and 'Food and Fun' highlights the important role that schools play in supporting children, their families and the local community. "At the heart of this scheme is the dedicated local authority and education workforce, who have formed fantastic partnerships with a variety of organizations to deliver a diverse range of activities for young people to enjoy."
BBC News
3 days ago
- BBC News
Central Beacons Mountain Rescue Team halts training over litter
A mountain rescue team have said they were "heartbroken" to have to "down tools" to clean up rubbish including disposable barbecues during a training session at a beauty from the Central Beacons Mountain Rescue Team were out in the area known as Waterfall Country in the Bannau Brycheiniog national park when they spotted litter strewn across the a post on social media, the team said they were "forced to down tools – but not for a rescue". "Our volunteers give their time to help people in need. Picking up after others shouldn't be part of the job but sadly, it's becoming more common," the volunteers said. "In one of Wales' most beautiful areas, it was heartbreaking to see nature treated as a dumping ground."Training was paused as our volunteers gathered as much rubbish as they could safely carry out."The team said they also found plastic bottles, crisp packets and broken glass strewn across the warned litter "not only spoils the landscape, it's dangerous for wildlife, livestock and other visitors".They urged visitors to Bannau Brycheiniog, also known as the Brecon Beacons, to "follow the simple leave no trace principle: whatever you bring with you, take it home". The "Instagrammable" national park is visited by about four million people each year and, last summer, the authority urged tourists to research and respect the area. Keep Wales Tidy said recent figures showed fast food packaging was found on 26.4% of streets and drinks litter on 43.6%, saying this was "a clear sign that throwaway culture is taking a toll on every corner of Wales".It warned litter "continues to blight communities, threaten wildlife and damage our precious natural environment".The organisation has teamed up with content creators across Wales to help spread the message to new audiences via social Derbyshire, Keep Wales Tidy chief executive, said it was "unacceptable that areas of such outstanding beauty are being disrespected in this way, putting wildlife, people and our fragile ecosystem at risk".He added: "We're saddened that mountain rescue volunteers had to come face to face with the growing problem of litter in one of Wales' most beautiful and fragile landscapes. "Their experience in Waterfall Country is, sadly, all too familiar."Ceredigion-based ecologist and content creator, Joe Wilkins, who does the Sandwich with a View series on Instagram, said: "As someone who loves Wales and encourages people to explore our wonderful nation responsibly, I know how vital it is that we keep these special places litter-free. "Nature in Wales is under pressure from many threats beyond our control, but taking our litter home is one simple action we can all take to help wildlife recover and thrive. "Let's make memories, not mess." 'Leave barbecues at home' Natural Resources Wales has also urged visitors to Wales' green spaces to enjoy the outdoors responsibly this summer."To prevent wildfires from igniting, do not light campfires, discard cigarettes or leave litter in the countryside, especially glass bottles," it said. It said barbecues should be left at home in dry weather or only used in designated spaces where signs say they are allowed, before being put out and disposed of responsibly once the ashes are also urged people to stay safe around water, adding waterfalls were dangerous places to swim due to strong currents.
