Five sewage spills are recorded around Cornwall's coast in 48 hours

Surfers Against Sewage issued a string of alerts on Wednesday, for beaches from Mount's Bay to Seaton near Looe

Author: Emma HartPublished 21st May 2021

Surfers Against Sewage says raw sewage has been discharged onto five beaches in Cornwall in 48 hours.

The charity issued a string of alerts through its Safer Seas system on Thursday, from Mount's Bay to Seaton near Looe.

As of Friday morning, the storm sewage alerts for Long Rock, Millandreath and Seaton remained in force.

They read: "Pollution alert: Storm sewage has been discharged from a sewer overflow in this location within the past 48 hours".

One for Trevaunance Cove at St Agnes has been stood down.

Pollution risk warnings, where bathing is not advised due to the likelihood of reduced water, have also been issued at Porthluney, Shorthorn (Crinnis), Par Sands.

What is a Storm Sewage Alert?

"Untreated sewage and wastewater frequently discharges from thousands of sewer overflows around the UK, sometimes significantly reducing water quality.

"When these events occur, Surfers Against Sewage is automatically notified by the water company and issues a real-time sewage alert through the Safer Seas & Rivers Service so surfers, swimmers and other water users can avoid this potentially harmful pollution incident.

"Water quality can also be reduced by heavy rainfall causing the input of multiple, often unidentified pollution sources, including road, urban and agricultural run-off and leakage from septic tanks.

"When these sources combine, they can often have a significant impact on water quality".

Surfers Against Sewage

You can check the latest alerts from Surfers Against Sewage here.