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Water 'excellent at most beaches' | Water 'excellent at most beaches' |
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The bathing water at 63% of the UK's beaches tested in a survey has been awarded a rating of "excellent". | The bathing water at 63% of the UK's beaches tested in a survey has been awarded a rating of "excellent". |
The top rating was given to 494 out of 787 beaches checked by the Marine Conservation Society on the 20th anniversary of its Good Beach Guide. | The top rating was given to 494 out of 787 beaches checked by the Marine Conservation Society on the 20th anniversary of its Good Beach Guide. |
But the MSC warned global warming might cause water quality to fall in future. | But the MSC warned global warming might cause water quality to fall in future. |
The Blue Flag awards, which are given to the cleanest beaches in England, have also been announced, with 85 beaches winning this particular prize. | The Blue Flag awards, which are given to the cleanest beaches in England, have also been announced, with 85 beaches winning this particular prize. |
HAVE YOUR SAY Some of the nicest, cleanest beaches are out in the Western Isles Brian, Edinburgh Send us your comments | |
Thomas Bell, the MSC's coastal pollution officer, said: "MCS is delighted to recommend over 60% of UK beaches this year on the basis of excellent water quality. | Thomas Bell, the MSC's coastal pollution officer, said: "MCS is delighted to recommend over 60% of UK beaches this year on the basis of excellent water quality. |
"This is great news for the thousands of holidaymakers heading to the British coast this summer. | "This is great news for the thousands of holidaymakers heading to the British coast this summer. |
"We're also delighted to report that the number of beaches achieving our tough water quality standard is four times higher than 10 years ago. | "We're also delighted to report that the number of beaches achieving our tough water quality standard is four times higher than 10 years ago. |
MCS BEACH AWARDS South West of England - 156 recommended out of 195 beaches monitoredSouth East - 98 recommended out of 135 North West - 7 recommended out of 33 North East - 52 recommended out of 67Scotland - 48 recommended out of 110 Wales - 104 recommended out of 175 Northern Ireland - 13 recommended out of 27 England's Blue Flag Awards | MCS BEACH AWARDS South West of England - 156 recommended out of 195 beaches monitoredSouth East - 98 recommended out of 135 North West - 7 recommended out of 33 North East - 52 recommended out of 67Scotland - 48 recommended out of 110 Wales - 104 recommended out of 175 Northern Ireland - 13 recommended out of 27 England's Blue Flag Awards |
"Britain's beaches used to be awash with sewage, and the Good Beach Guide drew a line in the sand 20 years ago for what was acceptable. | "Britain's beaches used to be awash with sewage, and the Good Beach Guide drew a line in the sand 20 years ago for what was acceptable. |
"Today we're enjoying the benefits of that campaign." | "Today we're enjoying the benefits of that campaign." |
But the MCS said the number of beaches achieving the top water quality standard may have peaked because storm-related pollution, a result of climate change, has become an increased threat to coastal waters. | But the MCS said the number of beaches achieving the top water quality standard may have peaked because storm-related pollution, a result of climate change, has become an increased threat to coastal waters. |
Low rainfall, such as that experienced in three of the last four British summers, boosts bathing water quality because of a lack of storm-related pollution. | Low rainfall, such as that experienced in three of the last four British summers, boosts bathing water quality because of a lack of storm-related pollution. |
Coastal pressures | Coastal pressures |
Warmer, wetter winters and summers which contain violent storms and flash floods are forecast to be a consequence of climate change and the MCS says these will substantially increase coastal pollution pressures. | Warmer, wetter winters and summers which contain violent storms and flash floods are forecast to be a consequence of climate change and the MCS says these will substantially increase coastal pollution pressures. |
Mr Bell said: "Heavy rain translates into poor weather quality because waterborne pollutants such as raw sewage, petro-chemicals and farm waste by-pass the sewer system and sweep directly from the land into rivers and the sea. | Mr Bell said: "Heavy rain translates into poor weather quality because waterborne pollutants such as raw sewage, petro-chemicals and farm waste by-pass the sewer system and sweep directly from the land into rivers and the sea. |
READ THE FINDINGS MCS Good Beach Guide 2007 [77KB] Most computers will open this document automatically, but you may need Adobe Reader Download the reader here | READ THE FINDINGS MCS Good Beach Guide 2007 [77KB] Most computers will open this document automatically, but you may need Adobe Reader Download the reader here |
"This effect was particularly apparent across the UK during summer 2004 and throughout last winter. | "This effect was particularly apparent across the UK during summer 2004 and throughout last winter. |
"It's a serious problem that we believe will worsen in years to come." | "It's a serious problem that we believe will worsen in years to come." |
Alan Woods, chief executive of ENCAMS, which runs Blue Flag in England, said the winning beaches in its survey were a sign of a "fantastic achievement". | Alan Woods, chief executive of ENCAMS, which runs Blue Flag in England, said the winning beaches in its survey were a sign of a "fantastic achievement". |
He said: "Beaches put up for a Blue Flag face three rounds of judging, the final being the international jury. | He said: "Beaches put up for a Blue Flag face three rounds of judging, the final being the international jury. |
"Standards are high and there is little leeway for those that make the cut. | "Standards are high and there is little leeway for those that make the cut. |
"That's why any beach bestowed a Blue Flag should be shouting from the rafters celebrating such a fantastic achievement." | "That's why any beach bestowed a Blue Flag should be shouting from the rafters celebrating such a fantastic achievement." |
The Blue Flag survey, which is conducted worldwide, measures 29 criteria from accessibility for disabled visitors through to the number of bins provided, lifeguards and litter levels. | The Blue Flag survey, which is conducted worldwide, measures 29 criteria from accessibility for disabled visitors through to the number of bins provided, lifeguards and litter levels. |