Rain, dogs and drains blamed for Swansea bay bacteria levels failure
WRONGLY connected drainpipes, dog mess and heavy rain have been blamed for high bacteria levels in Swansea Bay.
The bay was one of six beaches in Wales which failed European Council (EC) guideline standards this summer, although they all passed a less stringent EC bathing water test.
Beaches elsewhere in the region, such as Oxwich Bay, Port Eynon, Rhossili, Pendine and Aberavon, passed both tests.
The Post has seen the results of weekly water sampling by the Environment Agency at Swansea Bay, taken opposite the Patti Pavilion from May to September. The agency measured bacteria levels which indicate human and animal faeces, with six failures throughout the 16-week period — badly connected waste pipes at home was a factor.
Leakages from dumps and old mines have also had an impact on the quality of water.
Hamish Osborn, environmental management team leader at the agency, said failures occurred after heavy rainfall, when large plumes of "fresh" water discharged into the bay.
This water, from the River Tawe and streams like Cwm Stream, which runs through Sketty and Derwen Fawr, picked up pollutants.
Mr Osborn said some homes had wrongly connected drains, perhaps after extensions had been added, sending unpleasant waste into water courses.
The agency, Swansea Council and Welsh Water are investigating the problem.
"We are looking at pollution in small streams and storm drains and tracing them to housing estates, but it's a bit of a needle in a haystack," said Mr Osborn.
Water quality was better in Swansea Bay than in the past, he stressed, although the recent wet summers had reversed that trend. "If we have good weather, then it's relatively easy for a beach to perform quite well," he said. "Dog mess does have an impact, which is part of the reason we have dog bans on beaches." Some leachate is still leaking out from the old Clyne rubbish dump in Derwen Fawr, said Mr Osborn, but work has taken place to divert it into sewers rather than the Clyne River, which is also affected by mine water from old collieries in the Dunvant area. Swansea Council takes samples from the Clyne River and at Blackpill.
A council spokesman said the 2008 samples were consistent with "heavy bacterial loading after heavy rain", but all had passed the mandatory standard.
In Wales, more beaches passed the stricter EC guideline standards this year than last.
"Ensuring our beaches continue to have excellent water quality is key," said Environment Minister Jane Davidson.
richard.youle@swwmedia.co.uk
10 Comments
by Medusa, Swansea
Saturday, December 05 2009, 3:22PM
“Oh hahahaha James Sheridan, Swansea; you're such a "crack" x”
by James Sheridan, Swansea
Friday, December 04 2009, 11:53AM
“Re:Medusa, Swansea
More fibs from the Queen of Gorgon-zola! Of course BNP Members 'spit', especially those that have Spat in the eyes of Judges when they are sentenced!
As for sticking a dummy in my chops, your far too big to go into my Mouth!”
by Medusa, Swansea
Thursday, December 03 2009, 10:30PM
“Well Sheridan I've news for you: it isn't the BNP who spit. Shows how much you know doesn't it? As for my son wearing nappies umm well I don't think he'd appreciate that seeing that he is 22 years old. But you might like to wear one: I'm sure it woudl suite you as long as you stick a dummy in your chops too.”
by Nubbo., West Glamorgan.
Thursday, December 03 2009, 12:58AM
“Ah, Here we go, ? The poor canine's are to blame once again ? What about the other animal's ? Let's remind ourself's of the sheep and cattle grazing on farm land's around Fairwood -Clyne Common's, and 3 xxx's areas when their faeces etc is washed by heavy rain into the brook's ( Clyne etc) and then into the Bay . Environmental spokesman, Mr, Osborne quoted, " Some leachet is still leaking out of the old rubbish dump in Derwen Fawr ". I can recall decade's ago when Oak, and other mature tree's died on this site, so what exactly is leaking from this site Mr, Osborn ? And let us all not forget the heavy industry in the mid 19th century that produced copper -coal- ore's and arsenic at the Clyne Valley area? Has anyone from the public actually read the environmental report in question? I'm in my mid sixtie's, and I was banned from paddling in the Clyne Brook by my parent's when I was a youngster, and when a poor dog was seldom seen in those day's . The sweetest part of the Bay is by the Slip area ! But , according to the Council,activity nodes have moved West from this area of cleaner water and they are ushering the Public to bath in a more polluted part which is from Blackpill onward's to Mumbles !”
by James Sheridan, Swansea
Wednesday, December 02 2009, 7:23PM
“Re:Medusa/Heather, Swansea
If you stop putting the Nappies on your son and 'instructed' your BNP buddies to keep their Phlegm to themselves, then surely this will help reduce the risk to our Coastal and Urban Environment!?”
by Achmeds, Uncle
Wednesday, December 02 2009, 6:05PM
“the report says it may include house extensions!! Hello wake up planning department , dont you check up on peoples extensions and ensure that they are done properly?
It amuses me that as a smoker I could get fined for throwing a butt out of my window when driving my car , ( something which I do not do )but a person changing a nappy on a beach and leaves it there hoping that the sea will take it away for them doesnt, I have yet to read in the papers of someone being prosecuted for that issue. Maybe the people who do this just dig a hole and bury the said nappy temporarily hiding it from view but it will surface eventualy thats for sure.
If people treat the outdoors the way they may like to keep their houses clean and tidy we might get somewhere, But sad to say, there are some dirty swines around who dont care for themselves let alone others and will continue to be selfish and say things like, people are paid to clean up so I am giving them something to do.I could say more but better not”
by Medusa, Swansea
Wednesday, December 02 2009, 5:39PM
“Oh let's not forget the filth left by people, namely dirty nappies and Phlegm which some people like to spit out onto our pavements, of which contains God knows how many germs. Then you go home and this stuff is on your shoes which then smears all over your carpet. Lovely!”
by SJ, City Centre, Swansea
Wednesday, December 02 2009, 4:51PM
“It often occurs that when water is tested after periods of heavy rainfall the quality of the water declines...
However, heavy rain doesn't account for the sharps box I found on the beach the other day...”
by Jiffy, Reynoldston
Wednesday, December 02 2009, 3:18PM
“Presumably it's Swansea Beach this report refers to.
Swansea Bay covers the area from Mumbles Head to Dunraven Bay in the Vale of Glamorgan and includes The coastline at Aberafan, Porthcawl and Ogmore by Sea.”
by granny grey, Treboeth
Wednesday, December 02 2009, 2:52PM
“Major contributory factor on Swansea beach could be the large number of dirty nappies left on the beach by inconsiderate humans.”