Information
MCS action on beach pollution with the Sunday Times
Why you should care
You have a one in seven chance of contracting a sewage related disease such as gastroenteritis or ear, nose and throat infections each time you swim on almost half of Britain's beaches. Sewage overflow can also contain sanitary waste flushed down toilets - such as condoms, tampons and cotton bud sticks.
What’s the problem?
Britain has 22,000 storm overflow pipes. At least 520 of our beaches have one. These pipes carry raw sewage and storm water into the sea. They are meant to act as emergency flood relief - MCS believes that some are in continuous use.
What MCS wants
We want to STOP STORM SEWAGE POLLUTING OUR BEACHES and for water companies to improve monitoring, capacity and design of sewer overflow pipes so they only operate in extreme flooding emergencies.
What can we do?
We need you to help us find the active sewer overflow pipes that are causing problems. Using your information, MCS will take evidence to water companies, environment agencies, the Government and the media.
- Report your sighting to MCS using our ‘storm pollution hot-map’. Note the time, date and location, and take a photo if you can.
- Choose 'MCS Recommended' beaches in the Good Beach Guide for excellent water quality. Stay out of the sea for at least 24 hours after heavy storms.
- Join the MCS BeachWatch Big Weekend 2009 - the UK's biggest annual beach clean up and litter survey. Help us halve the litter on Britain's beaches by 2015.
- Vote for a Government action plan on marine litter.
To support the actions we take to care for our seas, shores and wildlife, please join MCS. Just £3
a month can make a vital difference to the future of our seas.
