31st March 2013

Half of Britain's beaches have been judged 'unsafe' for bathing by the Marine Conservation Society

According to the Marine Conservation Society, over half of the 754 beaches tested for dirty water at the end of last summer were not safe for swimming. Out of 754 beaches, only 403 beaches were fit for bathing, 113 less than the year before.

The MCS coastal pollution officer Rachel Wyatt commented: We have recommended fewer beaches in every English region and in Wales and Scotland. In England, the north-west and south-west were particularly badly hit with the fewest number of recommended beaches for at least a decade.

The reason for such a high number of unsafe beaches has been blamed on the last year's poor summer, one of the wettest on record. The high levels of rain and flooding led to an increase in bacteria and viruses in bathing water, stemming from agricultural run-off, septic tanks and dog waste.

Swimmers or bathers who come into contact with such bacteria may suffer from ear, nose, and throat infections, or in severe cases, the Marine Conservation Society warned, gastroenteritis.

According to the MCS, in order for British beaches to cope with a potential influx of wetter summers, beach infrastructure needs to be updated, preventing sewage from flowing into the sea.

The MCS was hopeful that things can be improved for Britain's beaches, as promising local partnerships determined to identify and fix problems now, could prevent the long-term dirtying of Britain's coast.

The rest is here:

50% of British beaches 'unsafe for swimming'