THE ENVIRONMENT Agency have responded after 14 beaches in Cornwall reported storm sewage discharges in one 48-hour period.

The beaches, which included Gyllyngvase in Falmouth, Polurrian Cove on the Lizard Peninsula, and Gwithian Towans near St Ives, had all been reported as having discharged storm sewage from outlets in the area. 

The data, which comes from The Safer Seas Service, set up Surfers Against Sewage, details water quality in coastal regions around the UK and highlights recent pollution incidents that might have occurred. 

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The full list of beaches in Cornwall with storm sewage discharges within the last 48 hours are as follows:

  • Millendreath
  • Par Sands
  • Gyllyngvase Beach
  • Swanpool Beach
  • Poldhu Cove
  • Porthleven Sands
  • Sennen
  • Gwithian Towans
  • Godrevy Towans
  • Trevaunance Cove
  • Crantock
  • Mawgan Porth
  • Polzeath
  • Widemouth Sand

After the initial incident, The Packet contacted The Environment Agency, along with South West Water, Surfers Against Sewage, and Cornwall Council about the incident.

An Environment Agency spokesperson said: "All the information about coastal and inland bathing waters, including any live pollution reports, will be available on Swimfo, and we advise bathers to check this before heading out.

"Bathing water classifications are made using samples taken during the bathing season defined by the Regulations as 15 May – 30 September.  

"As we are now outside the designated bathing season we don’t take routine samples, or issue daily pollution risk forecasts.

"We would remind people of the risks of bathing after very heavy rainfall which can wash pollution from the land into the sea.

"Anyone can become unwell when swimming in open waters.

"UK Health Security Agency and the EA offer advice in their ‘swim healthy’ guidance."