‘WHILST this may have been acceptable in Victorian England, it is certainly not so today’ were the words from Bude-Stratton’s mayor, following a series of sewage discharges that have raised concern over the safety of Bude’s beaches, writes Rosie Cripps.

Surfers Against Sewage (SAS) provided evidence of a sewage leak on Summerleaze beach, Bude, on Tuesday, August 2, urging locals and tourists to take care when entering the waters.

Currently, Cornwall is at a capacity with rainfall, meaning human sewage is more likely to overflow into the sea and local beaches. According to a spokesperson from SAS, there have been various discharges on Summerleaze beach throughout June, going as far back as May, showing a visible increase in what should be three discharges in a vacant season.

Since May, beaches in Bude have been closed on May 10, June 10, 15, 19 and 20, and, more recently, August 2.

As Bude reaches peak holiday season, this has become a great concern.

Bude-Stratton Town Council has recently contacted South West Water, demanding answers for the increase in discharges over the previous months.

Mayor, Cllr Lea Deely, told the Post: “It is an absolute disgrace that our beaches have been closed on six occasions since May. The sewage system in Bude and Stratton is clearly not fit for purpose. Despite this, whenever a large development is proposed — for example, Binhamy or the latest scheme at Hillhead — South West Water say that the system is adequate.

“I realise there are historic problems and that when there is heavy rain, there will always be agricultural run off. The main problem is, however, that sewage is not treated in any way in Bude. It is merely macerated and pumped out to sea. Whilst this may have been acceptable in Victorian England, it is certainly not so today.”

Bude currently uses a combined sewage system, which collects from properties and buildings, but also surface water from roads and fields.

The incidents that Bude has been experiencing occur when heavy or prolonged rainfall causes all extra surface water to overflow in to streams, rivers and the sea when there is no more space in the storm tanks.

If this didn’t happen, the sewage would back up in people’s toilets and drains.

SAS advises any surfers, swimmers and other beach goers to download their free Safer Seas Service app. The app alerts the user of sewage discharges on beaches they are likely to visit, allowing them to make decisions on how, when and where they use the sea.

The SAS Sewage Free Seas petition has also allowed the organisation to look into the issue with the Environment Agency, and they are waiting to hear the results.

Cllr Deely added: “I wonder how long it will be before someone’s health is severely affected by this antiquated method of dealing with sewage. Surely in this day and age, bearing in mind the very high water rates we pay, sewage ought to be treated before just being dumped off the coast and allowed to wash up on our beaches.”

A SAS spokesman said: “What we would advise people to do at this stage is to raise any concerns with your MP or local councillor; tell them it is unacceptable and something needs to be done about it. People need to get in contact with water companies to make sure they keep the quality of our sea water safe, which will protect people’s health in the future.”

In response, South West Water said: “Cornwall has some of the cleanest bathing waters in Europe. During periods of intense or prolonged rainfall, run-off from fields, farms and towns can combine with stormwater overflows, to temporarily affect bathing water quality across the UK’s coastline.

“To help beach-goers make informed choices about whether to enter the sea during or after heavy rainfall, South West Water pioneered, in 2011, a voluntary, free information service called BeachLive, which informs people about heavily diluted stormwater overflows. These act as legal safety valves to protect people and property from flooding. They occur when surface water from roads and towns combines with waste water to overload the pipe network.

“We have issued six BeachLive alerts for Bude Summerleaze this summer.”

The Environment Agency also provides alerts for many beaches, including Summerleaze, for times when rainfall may be a threat to those wanting to use the sea.