The Clean Water Action Group (CWAG), the local, volunteer-led grassroots organisation focused on ending sewage pollution and protecting local coastal waters, is applying to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) for official designated bathing water status (DBWS) for the West Marina beach in St Leonards.

Hastings and St Leonards currently have two designated bathing beaches. Pelham beach, near the town centre, holds a Seaside Award, whilst the Marina beach in St Leonards has both a Seaside Award and Blue Flag status.

The West Marina Beach, beside the old bathing pool site, does not have bathing beach status despite having more than 100 beach huts, a foreshore café, a nearby playground and parking.

CWAG says West Marina and the Bulverhythe seashore have previously suffered serious sewage pollution from Southern Water broken pipes and wastewater spills. These incidents flooded beach huts and produced extremely high faecal bacteria levels, according to the group’s citizen science testing programme. CWAG says it is determined to see the beach, its users and the marine environment protected.

If Defra grants DBWS, the Environment Agency would monitor the site during the bathing season from May to September, testing water quality and alerting the public to pollution hazards. Bathing waters are tested for intestinal bacteria that indicate sewage pollution and reviewed annually. Sites receive an end-of-season classification of Excellent, Good, Sufficient or Poor under the Bathing Water Regulations 2013.

Local Labour MP Helen Dollimore has backed the application, saying: “This would be an important step towards protecting public health, improving water quality and supporting the long-term health of our local marine environment.”

CWAG is seeking public views on this application. Click this link and share your thoughts: docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSe-NSQNZa6-dMW11f6g3Je2jzdNptmMHf4dV7DMM-GO7I91LQ/viewform


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https://www.hastingsindependentpress.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/news.jpghttps://www.hastingsindependentpress.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/news.jpgHIPNewsWest Marina beachThe Clean Water Action Group (CWAG), the local, volunteer-led grassroots organisation focused on ending sewage pollution and protecting local coastal waters, is applying to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) for official designated bathing water status (DBWS) for the West Marina beach in St Leonards. Hastings and...The Hastings & St Leonards non-profit community newspaper