Latest news with #SandraSquire
Yahoo
a day ago
- Health
- Yahoo
Beach 'may never be safe for swimming'
It may never be safe to swim at a "poor" beach in Norfolk as water quality issues continue to cause concern, a councillor said. The beach at Heacham near Hunstanton has been classified as poor by the Environment Agency since 2021, with the cause of the problem being disputed among experts and locals. After another "poor" result, Sandra Squire, cabinet member for environment at West Norfolk Council, admitted the coastal waters off Heacham may always have high levels of pollution. Studies suggest 60% of the intestinal enterococci (IE) bacteria recorded in human and animal waste may be coming from seabirds, which visit The Wash in huge numbers throughout the year. IE is the main bacteria causing the problems at Heacham, which is found in human and animal waste and, if ingested, can cause severe stomach upsets. Scientists are yet to gather a full picture of the sources of poor water quality at Heacham, but sewage leaks/outfalls, agricultural run-off and dog waste are all cited as contributing factors. Squire told a full council meeting that seabirds may always cause issues at Heacham. "Sooner or later we may have to admit, if 60% of pollution is coming from the bird population, it may be that this area should not be for bathing," she said. While DNA evidence suggests seabirds are a major cause, bacteria levels are highest in July and August, said the Local Democracy Reporting Service. Squire suggested that increase could be due to numerous factors, ranging from increased tourism, less or more rainfall or due to birds breeding. To better understand the problems, she called for year-round testing at Heacham, as currently it is only conducted in the summer months. The meeting heard that Anglian Water has said its sewage works was nearing capacity and would not be able to cope with any more housing development. Squire said: "If Anglian Water said they cannot cope, then nothing else should be connected to that sewage works. "We all know what happens when they can't cope - we end up with sewage in our streets, our rivers and seas." The Environment Agency told the BBC: "Pollution comes in many forms and from multiple sources, and the Environment Agency will continue to investigate poor water quality." Follow Norfolk news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X. Bird mess a factor as beach earns a 'brown flag' Rising fees make beach huts 'hard to keep or sell' Borough Council of King's Lynn & West Norfolk Environment Agency Local Democracy Reporting Service
Scottish Sun
2 days ago
- Scottish Sun
The English beach that may ‘never be safe to swim in again'
And where to find the UK's cleanest beaches SANDS NASTY The English beach that may 'never be safe to swim in again' A BEACH in the UK which has some of the dirtiest water in the country could never be safe to swim in again, experts have warned. Heacham Beach won a "Brown Flag" award earlier this year, which is given to the dirtiest beaches in the UK. 3 Heacham Beach may never be a swimmable beach Credit: Alamy 3 High pollution levels in the water have been attributed to bird waste Credit: Alamy The unofficial award is a version of the Blue Flag, an official ranking of the cleanest beaches. Not only that, but the beach has been classified as poor quality since 2021 by the Environment Agency, with high levels of pollution in the water. The dirty waters have been credited to animal waste coming from seabirds - as much as 60 per cent - rather than sewage waste. The bacteria levels are highest in July and August - the peak tourist season - although the reasons are still being discussed. Suggestions include a lack of rainfall and an increase in tourism. West Norfolk Council cabinet member for environment, Sandra Squire, said: "Sooner or later we may have to admit, if 60 per cent of pollution is coming from the bird population, it may be that this area should not be for bathing." She added: "If Anglian Water said they cannot cope, then nothing else should be connected to that sewage works. "We all know what happens when they can't cope - we end up with sewage in our streets, our rivers and seas." Year-round testing is being suggested to work out the reason for the pollution, as most if done during the summer period. Not only that, but it could soon get even worse. Everyone can see the beach but only those with a high IQ can spot five differences in 32 seconds in this brainteaser Anglian Water's (AW) sewage works recently said they were nearing capacity - meaning potentially more pollution. Ms Squire added: "If Anglian Water said they cannot cope, then nothing else should be connected to that sewage works. "We all know what happens when they can't cope, we end up with sewage in our streets, our rivers and seas". It also means tourists are unlikely to visit the beaches if it continues, with on local saying he was met with an "appalling stench of sewage" while there. Following it's Brown Flag Award - with Heacham being one of 13 in the UK to get one - other visitors have also said they worry about being able to swim in it. One mum, who visits every day with her daughter, said it was "not very pleasant" to look out. She told the BBC: "We check the signs and it always says poor quality don't swim. "Some days there's foam on the water which is a brown colour." Anglian Water is now investing more than £31million into improving the waters in the region, up to 2027. In the mean time, we've rounded up some of the UK's cleanest beaches you can swim in. And here is a pretty Victorian seaside town with no arcades or rides.
The Irish Sun
2 days ago
- The Irish Sun
The English beach that may ‘never be safe to swim in again'
A BEACH in the UK which has some of the dirtiest water in the country could never be safe to swim in again, experts have warned. Heacham Beach won a "Brown Flag" award earlier this year, which is given to the dirtiest beaches in the UK. 3 Heacham Beach may never be a swimmable beach Credit: Alamy 3 High pollution levels in the water have been attributed to bird waste Credit: Alamy The unofficial award is a version of the Not only that, but the beach has been classified as poor quality since 2021 by the Environment Agency, with high levels of The dirty waters have been credited to animal waste coming from seabirds - as much as 60 per cent - rather than sewage waste. The bacteria levels are highest in July and August - the peak tourist season - although the reasons are still being discussed. Read more on beaches Suggestions include a lack of rainfall and an increase in tourism. West Norfolk Council cabinet member for environment, Sandra Squire, said: "Sooner or later we may have to admit, if 60 per cent of She added: "If Anglian Water said they cannot cope, then nothing else should be connected to that sewage works. "We all know what happens when they can't cope - we end up with sewage in our streets, our rivers and seas." Most read in News Travel Year-round testing is being suggested to work out the reason for the pollution, as most if done during the summer period. Not only that, but it could soon get even worse. Everyone can see the beach but only those with a high IQ can spot five differences in 32 seconds in this brainteaser Anglian Water's (AW) sewage works recently said they were nearing capacity - meaning potentially more pollution. Ms Squire added: "If Anglian Water said they cannot cope, then nothing else should be connected to that sewage works. "We all know what happens when they can't cope, we end up with sewage in our streets, our rivers and seas". It also means tourists are unlikely to visit the beaches if it continues, with on local saying he was met with an "appalling stench of sewage" while there. Following it's Brown Flag Award - with Heacham being one of 13 in the UK to get one - other visitors have also said they worry about being able to swim in it. One mum, who visits every day with her daughter, said it was "not very pleasant" to look out. She told the "Some days there's foam on the water which is a brown colour." Anglian Water is now investing more than £31million into improving the waters in the region, up to 2027. In the mean time, we've rounded up some of the And here is a pretty 3 Millions of pounds are being invested into the surrounding areas to clean up the waters Credit: Alamy
The Sun
2 days ago
- The Sun
The English beach that may ‘never be safe to swim in again'
A BEACH in the UK which has some of the dirtiest water in the country could never be safe to swim in again, experts have warned. Heacham Beach won a "Brown Flag" award earlier this year, which is given to the dirtiest beaches in the UK. 3 3 The unofficial award is a version of the Blue Flag, an official ranking of the cleanest beaches. Not only that, but the beach has been classified as poor quality since 2021 by the Environment Agency, with high levels of pollution in the water. The dirty waters have been credited to animal waste coming from seabirds - as much as 60 per cent - rather than sewage waste. The bacteria levels are highest in July and August - the peak tourist season - although the reasons are still being discussed. Suggestions include a lack of rainfall and an increase in tourism. West Norfolk Council cabinet member for environment, Sandra Squire, said: "Sooner or later we may have to admit, if 60 per cent of pollution is coming from the bird population, it may be that this area should not be for bathing." She added: "If Anglian Water said they cannot cope, then nothing else should be connected to that sewage works. "We all know what happens when they can't cope - we end up with sewage in our streets, our rivers and seas." Year-round testing is being suggested to work out the reason for the pollution, as most if done during the summer period. Not only that, but it could soon get even worse. Everyone can see the beach but only those with a high IQ can spot five differences in 32 seconds in this brainteaser Anglian Water's (AW) sewage works recently said they were nearing capacity - meaning potentially more pollution. Ms Squire added: "If Anglian Water said they cannot cope, then nothing else should be connected to that sewage works. "We all know what happens when they can't cope, we end up with sewage in our streets, our rivers and seas". It also means tourists are unlikely to visit the beaches if it continues, with on local saying he was met with an "appalling stench of sewage" while there. Following it's Brown Flag Award - with Heacham being one of 13 in the UK to get one - other visitors have also said they worry about being able to swim in it. One mum, who visits every day with her daughter, said it was "not very pleasant" to look out. She told the BBC: "We check the signs and it always says poor quality don't swim. "Some days there's foam on the water which is a brown colour." Anglian Water is now investing more than £31million into improving the waters in the region, up to 2027. In the mean time, we've rounded up some of the And here is a pretty Victorian seaside town with no arcades or rides. 3
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Health
- Yahoo
Beach 'may never be safe for swimming'
It may never be safe to swim at a "poor" beach in Norfolk as water quality issues continue to cause concern, a councillor said. The beach at Heacham near Hunstanton has been classified as poor by the Environment Agency since 2021, with the cause of the problem being disputed among experts and locals. After another "poor" result, Sandra Squire, cabinet member for environment at West Norfolk Council, admitted the coastal waters off Heacham may always have high levels of pollution. Studies suggest 60% of the intestinal enterococci (IE) bacteria recorded in human and animal waste may be coming from seabirds, which visit The Wash in huge numbers throughout the year. IE is the main bacteria causing the problems at Heacham, which is found in human and animal waste and, if ingested, can cause severe stomach upsets. Scientists are yet to gather a full picture of the sources of poor water quality at Heacham, but sewage leaks/outfalls, agricultural run-off and dog waste are all cited as contributing factors. Squire told a full council meeting that seabirds may always cause issues at Heacham. "Sooner or later we may have to admit, if 60% of pollution is coming from the bird population, it may be that this area should not be for bathing," she said. While DNA evidence suggests seabirds are a major cause, bacteria levels are highest in July and August, said the Local Democracy Reporting Service. Squire suggested that increase could be due to numerous factors, ranging from increased tourism, less or more rainfall or due to birds breeding. To better understand the problems, she called for year-round testing at Heacham, as currently it is only conducted in the summer months. The meeting heard that Anglian Water has said its sewage works was nearing capacity and would not be able to cope with any more housing development. Squire said: "If Anglian Water said they cannot cope, then nothing else should be connected to that sewage works. "We all know what happens when they can't cope - we end up with sewage in our streets, our rivers and seas." The Environment Agency told the BBC: "Pollution comes in many forms and from multiple sources, and the Environment Agency will continue to investigate poor water quality." Follow Norfolk news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X. Bird mess a factor as beach earns a 'brown flag' Rising fees make beach huts 'hard to keep or sell' Borough Council of King's Lynn & West Norfolk Environment Agency Local Democracy Reporting Service
