Advice against bathing or entering the sea has been lifted at five Thanet bays today (July 21).
This means that there are no longer restrictions to enter the water at any of Thanet’s beaches.
On Saturday advice against bathing or entering the sea at 14 of the district’s beaches was put in place following confirmed discharge of storm wastewater by Southern Water as a result of the heavy rainfall the previous evening.
Yesterday the all clear was given for nine bays but five – Stone Bay, Viking Bay, Louisa Bay, Dumpton Gap and Ramsgate Main Sands – were affected by a second wastewater release.
Storm wastewater is a combination of sewage and surface water. Following the recent dry weather, pollution is also possible from surface water runoff.
Signs advising beach users to stay out of the water will now be removed.
Pollution Risk Forecast
Separately, the Environment Agency (EA) has today issued a ‘Pollution Risk Forecast’ for West Bay in Westgate-on-Sea and Margate Fulsam Rock.
This is as a result of the heavy rain and the potential impact on water quality at these beaches. It is not linked to the discharge of storm wastewater by Southern Water. This is standard monitoring by the EA carried out throughout the bathing season.
Swimmers are therefore discouraged from entering the water at West Bay and Margate Fulsam Rock.
Further information on pollution risk forecasting is available on the EA website.
