Elevated levels of faecal matter and e-coli were behind north Norfolk losing Blue Flag status for three of its beaches, it has been revealed.
And Councillor Tim Adams, North Norfolk District Council leader, said Sea Palling, Mundesely and East Runton beaches would not be able to reclaim the status until at least 2025 due to Environment Agency (EA) rules.
Mr Adams said it was unclear where the pollution was coming from, as neither ‘human’ causes such as beach use and litter, nor wildlife, were to blame.
He said: “What we do know is that combined sewage overflows have continued to drain sewage into the rivers and the sea around the time this pollution occurred at north Norfolk, including at Gimingham CSO [Combined Sewer Overflow], which serves the North Walsham locality.
“Clearly, we wish to see the return of these Blue Flags as soon as possible, both as a matter of prestige and reputation, for the sake of our coastal economy and all other beach users.”
Mr Adams said NNDC would keep working with the EA to pinpoint the pollution’s source, but added that more beaches around the country were losing Blue Flag status.
But Mr Adams said there was no evidence any of north Norfolk’s beaches were unsafe for swimming.
Mr Adams wrote to North Norfolk MP Duncan Baker over the issue to ask for more action on beach pollution.
Mr Baker said Blue Flag status was “ vital for our tourism, businesses and environment”.
He said England today has the cleanest bathing water since records began, and he had been involved in strengthening the 2021 Environment Act to improve water quality.
He said the EA and Ofwat had also launched their largest-ever criminal and civil investigation into wastewater treatment works.
Mr Baker said: “Like myself, the Government takes these issues incredibly seriously and I think these new robust regulations are testament to that.”
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