26 Beaches in the UK Fail Standards

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A new study about the cleanliness of beaches performed by the UK Environment Agency reveals some shocking information. According to the results, a number of beaches in the UK have never been dirtier over the past 10 years.

European Health Standards were used to assess the quality of the water. The results show that 26 beaches in the UK fail meeting the standards, which means that swimming in the sea water is unsafe due to the presence of waste and bacteria.

The increase is significant because one year ago, only 10 beaches failed meeting the European standards and were given a ‘poor’ ranking.

Environment Agency representative Laura Gottelier said that intense rainfalls during the summer could be blamed for the dirty beaches. As it pours down, rain washes away pollution, artificial fertilizers and pesticides into the sea water. Untreated sewage is another factor responsible for the dirty bathing water.

The situation may become even more troublesome in the future. The greenhouse effect is already causing climate changes and intense rainfalls can be expected again in the years to come, Marine Conservation Society pollution program manager Robert Keirle told The Telegraph.

The European Union is expected to review its standards and requirements for beach cleanliness by 2015. Once the new requirements are introduced, a bigger number of beaches will probably be declared unsuitable for vacation and bathing purposes.

According to the British environment minister Robert Keirle, the results are shocking since water companies have invested billions in treatment systems that are supposed to handle the raw waste that was previously released into the sea water.

2012 saw the “wettest summer” for the past 100 years, the BBC reported. The intense rainfalls have significantly increased the level of harmful bacteria in the sea water. A number of blue flag beaches in the UK risk losing their status because of the troublesome Environment Agency findings. If the distinction is lost, the UK tourism sector is expected to suffer serious consequences.

The Foundation for Environmental Education (FEE) is the entity responsible for assessing beaches and providing them with a blue flag, in case all of the quality requirements are met. Some of the factors examined in the assessment process include the availability of beach facilities, waste management, cleanliness of the beach and water quality.

According to some preliminary estimates, up to 30 percent of the beaches in the UK could lose their blue flag status because of waste management and pollution problems.


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Published in: News and Updates / Travel