Blackpool's bathing water remains 'good' or 'excellent'

The Environment Agency has announced 2019’s results will be rolled over into 2020, meaning Blackpool’s Central, South and North beaches continue to be rated ‘good’, while Bispham has maintained its ‘excellent’ classification.

A meeting of the council’s tourism, economy and communities scrutiny committee heard sampling to test the quality of the water was expected to resume this year when the bathing water season begins in May.

Despite the suspension of sampling last year, the council had continued to apply measures to prevent pollution including the use of signage and advice to the public.

John-Paul Lovie, head of waste management at Blackpool Council, told the meeting action included beach community litter picks (on top of the council’s regular cleaning regime) and the positioning of litter bins on the sands.

He added: “A lot was done over the summer. When lockdown was lifted and there was a major influx of visitors, there was massive demand in terms of maintaining cleanliness.”

A report to the committee said ongoing protection of the bathing water included monitoring the impact of new longer sea outfall pipes provided at Harrowside and Anchorsholme as part of investment by United Utilities.

Work also included examining the impact of animal waste, particularly from areas of salt marsh grazing on the River Ribble, and monitoring the impact of dogs and birds.

Run off into the sea caused by heavy rain also continues to be measured.

Mr Lovie said the work would contribute towards more sophisticated algorithms “designed to be a better measure of factors that can impact pollution, for example rainfall leading to run-off.”

The results from the 2020 bathing water season mean Blackpool has again been able to apply for Seaside Awards for Blackpool Central, Blackpool North and Bispham beaches.

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