POO-NAMI
Sunseekers heading to the coast warned as raw sewage swamps five popular beaches
AN URGENT warning has been issued after five popular holiday beaches were swamped by raw sewage.
Pollution warnings were issued after "a considerable amount of sewage" began floating ashore on Porthtowan, Godrevy Towans, Millendreath, Seaton and Gyllyngvase beaches in Cornwall.
3
3
The warnings come as thousands of Brits head to the beach on what will be the hottest day of the year. The Met Office has raised its heat alert level to three and as health authorities have urged sun seekers to protect themselves amid the "exceptionally hot forecast this week".
A red flag has been put up at Porthtowan and people have been asked not to bathe or let their children play in the water.
The local surf lifesaving surveillance patrol issued a warning on social media.
"There is a considerable amount of sewage around the surf club and lifeguard unit. Sewage has also made its way into the ocean.
"The lifeguards will be operating from a gazebo on the opposite side of the beach, by the Blue Bar entrance.
"We cannot at this stage keep our staff safe if they were to perform rescues, because of the health risk, so the lifeguards will be red flagging the beach.
"If we get further information that the situation has changed for the better, then this may also change the operational status of the beach.
"All other beaches in the area should be open today. With lifeguards at Portreath, Chapel Porth, Perranporth, Hollywell."
The Surfers Against Sewage campaign group also issued alerts.
"Pollution Risk Warning: Bathing not advised today due to the likelihood of reduced water quality," the group posted.
"At high tide the beach becomes narrow while low tide seas vast expanses of sand flats exposed.
Most read in News
"A number of sewer overflows discharge at various points upstream of Porthtowan into the Porthtowan Stream that flows across the beach before meeting the sea.
"Water quality can also be impacted by diffuse pollution."
For Godrevy Towans, Millendreath, Seaton and Gyllyngvase Beach, the group warned: "Storm sewage has been discharged from a sewer overflow in this location within the past 48 hours."
3
Topics