PILOT SCHEME ON WATER QUALITY TO START IN JULY
April 26, 2010 11:00 AM
A pilot scheme to improve information about the water quality of Cornwall's beaches will start this summer. Porthtowan and Gwithian beaches are to be included in a new trial that will help ensure a speedy response to water pollution incidents, and provide better quality information to members of the public using Cornwall's beaches.
The scheme, has long been pressed for by Surfers Against Sewage, and was agreed in principle at a meeting last year called by Julia Goldsworthy. If successful, the scheme will set a gold standard in ensuring the excellent reputation of the county's beaches are preserved and enhanced.
Under the proposed scheme, sewage overflow pipes will be monitored, with possible pollution incidents reported immediately they occur Any contamination of the water will be immediately reported to the agencies responsible for beach safety, including the RNLI, Cornwall Council, South West Water and the Environment Agency. They will then be able to follow up by taking swift action to resolve the problem, and if necessary clearing the beach.
Julia Goldsworthy said: "Currently, water quality reports are only produced once a year. This scheme will give real-time updates pollution incidents, giving us the most stringent water quality system in the country. It means that the reputation of Cornwall's outstanding beaches will be safeguarded for the future, as any problems will be immediately reported, acted upon and made available to the public."
Surfers Against highlighted their concerns about unreported pollution on Cornwall's beaches in a Panorama programme broadcast last year.
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