Environmental groups and water companies are offering new tools to help the public monitor coastal water quality, particularly in the wake of sewage spills. Surfers Against Sewage (SAS) has developed an app that provides alerts when bathing water quality may be impacted by pollution, including sewage discharges.
The SAS app sources information from various channels, including voluntary data from water companies in England and Wales. It also utilizes data from sensors that detect when a Combined Sewer Overflow (CSO) is operating. Discharges are a frequent occurrence during heavy rainfall, when storm drains and sewer systems can become overwhelmed, leading to overflows to protect infrastructure from backing up.
The alerts generated by the SAS app remain active for 48 hours following a discharge. The organization states this extended duration is a precautionary measure, as water companies in the UK have historically kept pollution alerts active for varying periods. The app also features tide information, health reporting capabilities, and a live map displaying active overflow discharges.
Water companies themselves are also providing data on potential sewage spill impacts. South West Water, for instance, offers a service called WaterFit Live, which aims to assist individuals in making informed decisions before swimming. Alerts within WaterFit Live are displayed for 12 hours and 30 minutes after a spill concludes. Additionally, a separate storm overflow map shows CSOs operating in near real-time, with overflows remaining visible for 24 hours after they cease.
South West Water clarifies that its storm overflow map indicates whether an overflow is operational but does not assess bathing water quality risk. This risk assessment is conducted separately at a beach level using a specific methodology detailed on the WaterFit Live website. The availability of such information aims to enhance transparency and empower water users to understand potential risks to water quality.