Water quality at four beaches rated excellent
The bathing water quality at four Vale of Glamorgan Council-maintained beaches has been rated excellent following testing by Natural Resources Wales.
Cold Knap in Barry, Southerndown, Penarth and Col-Huw in Llantwit Major were all judged to have the highest calibre of water, while Barry’s Island’s Whitmore Bay and Jackson’s Bay were judged good and satisfactory respectively.
These are disappointing results for two of Barry’s main bathing beaches and will for the third consecutive year prevent Whitmore Bay gaining a Blue Flag.
The Council is aware that combined sewer overflows are still used by Dwr Cymru and that over the course of the year spillages into the Old Harbour have been reported.
It is keen to develop a collaborative approach to identify future improvements and investment opportunities to reduce the impact of wastewater on land and water quality in the Vale.
Working in partnership with Natural Resources Wales, the aim is to develop a water quality prediction model for Whitmore and Jackson’s Bay.
Recently, the Leader of the Council wrote to Dwr Cymru expressing concern at the continued use of these overflows, which are designed to discharge sewage into the sea during periods of heavy rainfall and a report on this matter was considered by Cabinet in October.
Cllr Lis Burnett, Leader of the Council, said: “Whilst it is pleasing to note the high standard of water quality at a number of our beaches, I am bitterly disappointed that this is not the standard along the full length of our fabulous coastline. As well as being a magnet for tourists, our beaches are being used more and more by our residents for exercise.
“At a time when we are all very aware of our responsibilities regarding the local environment, it cannot be right that we continue to accept the use of outdated technology in the management of our wastewater.
“The Council will continue to push for the infrastructure investment that will make any water quality assessment below excellent a thing of the past.”