Raw sewage alert issued for 54 UK beaches
Health warnings have been issued for 54 beaches in the southwest of England due to sewage pollution concerns.
Marine conservation charity Surfers Against Sewage (SAS) says recent heavy rain showers have put thousands of beach users at risk.
SAS has identified 33 beaches in Cornwall as being under a ‘sewage pollution alert’, which signifies the discharge of storm sewage from a sewer overflow at those locations within the past 48 hours.
Additionally, a ‘pollution risk forecast’ has been issued for 21 other beaches, indicating the possibility of sewage appearing in those areas.
Full list of affected beaches: Charlestown, Cawsand, Coverack, Crackington Haven (pollution risk forecast), Crantock, Crooklets (pollution risk forecast), Downderry, Duporth (pollution risk forecast), East Looe, Fistral North, Fistral South, Godrevy Towans, Gorran Haven Little Perhaver, Gwithian, Towans, Gyllyngvase, Harlyn Bay, Kennack Sands (pollution risk forecast), Kingsand, Long Rock, Mawgan Porth, Maenporth (pollution risk forecast), Marazion (pollution risk forecast), Millendreath, Pendower (pollution risk forecast), Penzance (pollution risk forecast), Pentewan, Perranporth (pollution risk forecast), Perranuthnoe, Polkerris (pollution risk forecast), Polurrian Cove, Polzeath (pollution risk forecast), Poldhu Cove (pollution risk forecast), Porth, Porthallow (pollution risk forecast), Porthcothan (pollution risk forecast), Porthcurnick (pollution risk forecast), Porthgwidden, Porthkidney, Porthluney (pollution risk forecast), Porthmellon, Porthoustock, Portreath, Portwrinkle, Readymoney Cove, Seaton, Shorthorn Beach, Summerleaze (pollution risk forecast), Swanpool, Trebarwith Strand (pollution risk forecast), Trevaunance Cove, Trevone Bay (pollution risk forecast), and Wherry Town (pollution risk forecast).
Water experts warn it may be advisable to wait for a minimum of 72 hours after rainfall before venturing into the sea.
