The Marine Conservation Society (MCS) released a report regarding the state of Britain's beaches, and it seems the region's stormy summer has resulted in increasing pollution levels.
Of the 553 beaches tested for bathing water quality standards thtis year, 16 failed. Last year only two of 520 beaches failed the MCS test. Also, the report found 86 percent of British beaches of good standard this year, compared with 94 percent last year.
Heavy rains sweeping raw sewage, refuse, farm waste and other pollutants has left 71 United Kingdom beaches seriously affected. Coastal pollution officer Thomas Bell said extreme wet weather has undoubtedly contributed to this year's poorer results.
"We are calling on the government to provide public information on all bathing beaches, advising swimmers that coastal waters can be temporarily affected by increased pollution, with a consequent risk to bathers' health, after heavy rain," he said.
Bell suggested that expanding sewer systems to handle heavy rainfall and improving some 2,000 failing combined sewer overflows could help combat the pollution problem.
"Increased storm pollution is just one of the many growing pressures on our seas, and MCS is calling for a Marine Act to provide better protection and management for our seas and coasts," he said.
Source: BBC
