REASONS for the “do not swim” bathing signs at a Barry beach could include the water being polluted by agricultural land, urban activity, or treatment plants.
Recently, Vale Council put up signs round Watch House Bay beach advising people not to swim due to poor water classification.
Where a designated bathing water is classified as ‘poor’ under the Bathing Water Regulations 2013, there is a requirement that the council issue guidance against bathing at that beach.
Vale Council have put up signs and recently brought together key parties to help address issues with water quality at Watch House Bay, including members of Watchtower Waders, Barry Blue Tits, Cold Knap (Rhondda) Lifeguard Club, Surfers Against Sewage and Whitmore Bay Surf Lifesaving Club.
It was at this meeting, reasons for the water classification were revealed.
Investigations are being undertaken by NRW, in partnership with Dwr Cymru and the council to establish the cause of the pollution.
This could be coming from a range of sources, including agricultural land, urban activity, private cess pits, septic tanks or treatment plants.
Once the source has been identified, NRW will be able to work with those responsible to address the issue and improve water quality.
Chaired by Miles Punter, the council’s director of environment and housing, on the meeting, he said: “The council is not responsible for maintaining water quality at beaches, but we do want everyone to enjoy these locations so the results for Watch House Bay and Ogmore are very disappointing.
“They mean we are legally responsible to install signs advising people of their ‘poor’ categorisation.
“However, this is not a situation we are happy with. Bathing waters play an important role in people’s health and wellbeing, in boosting the economy and supporting wildlife.
“Many locations in the Vale have bathing water rated as ‘excellent’ and this is the standard we want everywhere.
“We have been working with NRW and Dwr Cymru towards that aim. Hopefully, by bringing everyone together like this, we can find a way to make the necessary improvements as soon as possible.”
Alison Woolcock, founding member of one of Barry’s most popular sea swim groups Watchtower Waders, said despite the signs, the waders will continue to swim.
Ms Woolcock said: “The Waders appreciated that the Vale Council, Dwr Cymru and Natural Resources Wales were able to demonstrate the importance they have placed on improving the quality of the water at Watchtower and the other beaches in the Vale.
“We will continue to swim but will use the useful apps provided by Dwr Cymru and Natural Resources Wales to make it as safe as possible.”
Natural Resources Wales results for bathing waters in the Vale of Glamorgan 2023:
- Cold Knap (Barry) - Excellent
- Vale of Glamorgan - Excellent
- Col-Huw Beach (Llantwit Major) - Excellent
- Penarth Beach - Good
- Whitmore Bay (Barry) - Good
- Jackson’s Bay (Barry) - Sufficient
- Watch House Bay (Barry) - Poor
- Ogmore-by-Sea – Poor
Read more: Watch House Bay beach's new signs advising people don't swim
Wales’ national waterworks company say they do not know the specific cause of the drop in water quality at Watch House Bay.
A Dwr Cymru spokesperson said: “While the reason for the failure at Watch House Bay is currently unknown, we are committed to working collaboratively with all agencies involved to establish the cause.
“We take the important role that we - along with others - have to play in protecting bathing water quality seriously.”
Have you seen these signs? What do you think about them? Have you had a dip in Watch House Bay? What do you think about the state of the beaches in Barry?
Let us know, emailing harry.jamshidian@newsquest.co.uk.
Got a story in Barry? Email harry.jamshidian@newsquest.co.uk.
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