Hundreds of tourists have fallen ill after visiting beaches across the United Kingdom, according to new figures from the marine conservation charity Surfers Against Sewage (SAS). The charity received over 700 reports of sickness from 406 locations this year alone, impacting visitors to various coastal areas, including some designated 'Blue Flag' beaches known for high water quality.
These illnesses have resulted in a significant number of missed workdays, with over 15,000 days, equivalent to 41 years, taken off due to sickness contracted from the water. Reported ailments include gastroenteritis and ear infections, with some cases leading to hospitalizations.
The surge in reports follows a period of rising temperatures in the UK, with nearly half of the sickness reports occurring since May 1, coinciding with the nation's fifth heatwave of the year. Highs of 36C are expected, prompting many to seek relief at the coast.
Bournemouth recorded the highest number of reported illnesses, with 16 incidents. Other affected locations include Durley Chine beach, which holds Blue Flag status, with three reports; Croyde Bay in north Devon and Polzeath in Cornwall, each with 13 reports; Rest Bay in Porthcawl, Wales, with 12 reports; and Exmouth in Devon with ten reports.
SAS attributes the pollution to sewage dumping by water companies, a practice they state has been ongoing for decades. In 2024, water companies in England reportedly recorded 2,487 pollution incidents, with 4.7 million hours spent dumping sewage into UK waters. The charity's findings indicate that 15,362 days were lost to sickness from UK waters this year.
Jo Morley, head of campaigns at SAS, described the situation as a "public health crisis," emphasizing that the reported cases are likely a fraction of the actual number. She noted the unacceptability of people falling ill, particularly after using bathing waters rated as "excellent," and highlighted the lack of official government data and legal protections for water users. Morley stated that the current system prioritizes profits, allowing polluters to operate without sufficient punishment and called for an end to the privatized water industry, urging the government to take back control of failing water companies.
The 'Blue Flag' designation is awarded to beaches that meet stringent criteria for water quality, waste management, biodiversity, safety, and accessibility. While there is no specific indication of the cause of sickness at the Blue Flag locations mentioned in the report, SAS has logged 8,313 reports of sickness from British beaches since 2019.