THE water quality at Shoebury Common beach has been downgraded, resulting in the loss of its prestigious Blue Flag.
Bayo Alaba, Labour MP for Southend East and Rochford, announced yesterday the latest water quality assessment had seen the Environment Agency downgrade the water from "excellent" to "good".
It is the third beach in as many years to be downgraded after Westcliff Bay last year and Thorpe Bay the year before.
However, Thorpe Bay has now been upgraded to "excellent" once again.
Blue flag awards are given to beaches recognised for having the highest standards of cleanliness by environmental charity Keep Britain Tidy, with an "excellent" quality status from the environment agency a requirement to keep the award.
The Labour MP said that having spoken with Anglian Water, he understood heavy rainfall had caused an "elevated" sample of harmful bacteria including E. coli which had a "disproportionate" effect on the water quality overall.
Mr Alaba said: "This news is disappointing for our community, for residents, businesses, and visitors who value and take pride in Shoebury's Blue Flag status.
"Our beaches are central to Southend's identity and our economy, and they remain one of our city's greatest strengths.
"I want to be clear the classification of good means Shoebury still meets the minimum standards set by the Bathing Water Regulations for residents to swim and take part in water-based activities.
"The water remains free from significant pollution, and the risk to bathers' health is considered low."
"I have spoken with Anglian Water, who say the downgrade is the result of heavy rainfall on September 4 causing two elevated samples of E. coli and intestinal entrecocci.
"Unfortunately these two instances had a disproportionate impact on the overall water quality classification."
The Labour MP welcomed the reappraisal of Thorpe Bay's water quality from good to excellent in the same report, making it once again eligible to apply for a Blue Flag award.
Mr Alaba said he was "fully committed" to holding companies responsible for water quality to account ahead of a meeting with Anglian water December 1.