The bathing water quality in Scarborough's South Bay remains 'poor' in updated Environment Agency classifications. Issues with Scarborough's bathing water quality continue to persist as both Scarborough bays' ratings remain unchanged: the South Bay is still classed as 'poor' and the North Bay is classed as 'sufficient' after the latter was downgraded from 'good' last year.
Bathing water quality at beaches in Whitby, Sandsend, and Cayton has been rated as 'excellent'. The advice against bathing in the South Bay comes despite efforts to address causes of pollution, amid serious concerns from local businesses and campaigners about impacts on tourism and the environment.
Coun Carl Les, leader of North Yorkshire Council, recently welcomed the completion of "positive upgrades" to improve water quality. Speaking at a full meeting of NYC in November, he said: "It was pleasing to hear from the EA that year-on-year improvements in water quality were being seen in the data taken from Scarborough South Bay, and that recent work had been completed by McCains in their wastewater treatment plant, and by Yorkshire Water at the Wheatcroft Combined Storm Overflow."
This summer, the Environment Agency said it was leading "a major effort" with partners including the local council, businesses, and the water company to tackle the issue. The EA has stated that sewage is "only one piece of the puzzle" and that studies led by the agency "show that several sources have a real impact on the South Bay" including seabirds, dogs, agriculture, industrial discharges, and the harbour.
Speaking to The Guardian, the singer and environmental campaigner Feargal Sharkey said: "The EA has started this thing of blaming seagulls and blaming dogs for pooing on beaches, because if they blame water companies at all it's a failure of regulation and that's their fault, whereas they don't regulate seagulls s*******.
"It is an act of gross incompetence, much like its regulation of the environment, to blame seagulls for the failure of water companies." Overall, the number of sites in England meeting minimum standards for water quality has risen slightly compared to last year, while one in seven bathing water spots are still rated as polluted.
Water Minister Emma Hardy said: "These changes sit alongside our wider action to clean up our waterways so communities across the country can enjoy the places they care about most." Alan Lovell, Chair of the Environment Agency, said: "Bathing water quality in England has improved significantly over recent decades, and this year's results show the continued impact of strong regulation, investment and partnership working. "But we know there is more to do, and the new bathing water reforms will strengthen the way these much-loved places are managed. "The Environment Agency is working closely with Defra to ensure these changes are implemented effectively whilst our teams continue to work with water companies, farmers, councils and local groups to tackle all sources of pollution and support continued progress across sites."
The updated bathing water quality ratings for Scarborough, Whitby, and Filey:
Sandsend - Excellent Whitby - Excellent Robin Hoods Bay - Sufficient Scarborough North Bay - Sufficient Scarborough South Bay - Poor Cayton Bay - Excellent Filey - Good