A local councillor and bird expert have questioned claims wild birds are to blame for pollution at a Norfolk beach after "dangerous" levels of E.coli were found following heavy rain.
A report by Anglian Water using DNA testing found birds feeding on mud flats to be the “main source that is impacting water quality in the area” at Heacham Beach.
The Environment Agency issued a warning to not swim at Heacham Beach earlier this month, prompting Cllr Rob Colwell, of Gaywood South, to conduct a test for E. coli
His test showed a significantly higher result of the bacteria - which can make people unwell - than a test he conducted at the same spot a month prior.
While the Liberal Democrat councillor admits seabirds likely contribute to the issue, he believes sewage discharges from storm overflows are also to blame.
He said: “I guessed it would be bad as soon as I turned up, as I could see sewage scum floating on the sea. These results are shocking, and I understand why local residents and those on holiday are so angry.
“I’m furious about the gaslighting that has occurred with blame last month put on sea birds following apparent DNA testing.
“I don’t doubt they might contribute, but what will they say next, birds poo more when it rains?
“I want Anglian Water to come clean about what is really going on at Heacham.”
READ MORE: Heacham Beach named among UK's most contaminated
Heacham is currently under a permanent advisory warning against swimming, with the water rated as “poor” by the Environment Agency for the last three years.
Anglian Water has said there are no storm overflows near the bathing water at Heacham and it conducts year-round UV treatment at its nearby water recycling centre to “further clean” water from the site to protect the bathing water.
However, there is a storm overflow about two miles north at Hunstanton Main Beach and Anglian Water confirmed there was a “short release” following a period of heavy rainfall earlier in the month, which they say would have predominantly been rainwater.
READ MORE: Storms cause flash flooding in Hunstanton and King's Lynn
Thunderstorms caused flash flooding in Hunstanton on June 18, with locals reporting the smell of sewage in the town's streets.
A spokeswoman for the Environment Agency said: “We issued a forecast pollution risk on [the following] Monday and Tuesday at Heacham.
“Changes in bathing water quality can occur, for example, as a result of heavy rainfall washing pollutants off farmland and urban areas."
The Wash area is also fed by four major rivers, which flow past or have tributaries connecting them to large towns like King's Lynn, Cambridge, Peterborough and Northampton.
According to Environment Agency data, the River Welland, River Nene and River Great Ouse, which all flow into the Wash, had 1,351 incidents of sewage overflows totalling 8,077 hours in 2022.
READ MORE: Where 'chemical cocktails' are poisoning Norfolk's rivers
Seabird expert Dr Viola Ross-Smith, who works for the British Trust for Ornithology, has also questioned the assertion that wild birds would be to blame for the continued issue of pollution at Heacham.
She said: “The Wash is an internationally important area for lots of birds and they have been there for a long time without issue.
“This blame game has been used nationwide in places like Scotland but it doesn’t add up, especially when you consider populations of sea birds have been dwindling significantly in recent years.
“In the winter we have a large number of migratory birds visit the Wash and north Norfolk.
“But at this time of year, we don’t have as many in the area, whereas there remain hundreds of thousands of people in west Norfolk and in neighbouring areas.
“We know water companies are discharging sewage even on days when there is no rain.
“The buck stops with us. We shouldn’t be demonising wildlife at a time when they are struggling. We have a responsibility to ensure the water that is discharged into our seas is safe for wildlife and humans as well.”
Dr Ross-Smith added that if bird faeces is contaminated with things like salmonella, it is likely due to them feeding around sewage outlets.
The Environment Agency has said it intends to undertake “pollution prevention” visits in the area and that it will continue to work “closely with partners, including local councils, to look at what steps we can take to improve water quality at Heacham.”
READ MORE: New no swim warning for beach over pollution
A spokeswoman added: "We have also secured additional funding to carry out extra analysis on selected samples. These samples are collected during the bathing water season and tested at the end of it."
READ MORE: Anglian Water ad banned for leaving out detail on sewage releases
Mr Colwell hopes one day Heacham’s reputation for pollution will be a thing of the past.
“Locals want Heacham to be known for its lavender, its sense of community, Pocahontas, the 1795 declaration and as a seaside resort boasting fine sunset views,” he said.
“Instead, its sewage and no swim warnings are now dominating regional and national headlines.”
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