Aberafan

Photograph: Chris Plunkett

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Aberafan, Neath & Port Talbot

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Lat/Long

51.6N 3.8W

Water quality

The Good Beach Guide uses water sampling data collected by the UK environment agencies and local authorities
during the previous summer (i.e. Good Beach Guide classifications for 2013 are based on results of samples taken
during summer 2012) to assess water quality at beaches against the following standards, from best to worst water quality:

MCS Recommended – excellent water quality

Guideline – higher water quality

Mandatory – minimum water quality

Fail – did not meet the minimum water quality standard

Our standards are based on the European Bathing Water Directive (76/160/EEC), but are not the same as those
published by the UK Government and devolved administrations. We award some beaches our MCS Recommended
standard for excellent water quality and we include any UK beach sampled for water quality, even those not legally
required to comply with the Directive’s standards.

Please note: Storms, floods and heavy rain can lead to short term water pollution.

See our ‘How we recommend beaches’ page to find out more about our water quality standards.

Mandatory

2013: Mandatory

2012: Mandatory

2011: Guideline

2010: MCS Recommended

2009: Mandatory

Local sewage outflows

Sewage discharges which may be affecting the water quality at this beach.
See "How we recommend beaches" to find out more about sewage treatment.

1 Secondary, 4 Overflow(s),

European designated bathing water

Every summer, water quality is assessed at popular UK beaches which have been designated as bathing waters
under the European Bathing Water Directive (76/160/EEC). Water samples are also sometimes taken on beaches
which are not officially designated as bathing waters. At these beaches the regular sampling of the water is not
a legal requirement, but is instead carried out on a voluntary basis by the beach owner or local authority.

Lifeguarded

RNLI: May 25th - September 8th, Easter weekend, early May bank holiday.

A long strip of sandy beach, popular with surfers.

Beach type

Sand

Local facilities

Litter

No current information

Things to do

The surfing can be really good but also dangerous at high tide. Beginners should surf on a dropping tide and avoid the southern area, near the breakwater.

Wildlife & walks

No current information

Animal restrictions

Dogs are allowed

Enjoy a safe and fun day on the beach by considering the following:

Strong
currents

Large
surf

Tidal
cut-off

Deep
shelving

Lifeguard service beach safety tips

There is currently no weather forecast for this beach.

Click here to visit the Met Office website to search for a nearby location

This information is provided by the Environment Agency. We use this data to produce our water quality information on the Good Beach Guide, but our results use information from the previous year, so our results for 2013 are the same as the Environment Agency’s results for 2012. Please see how we recommend beaches for more information.