'Special' public meeting called over Scarborough bathing water pollution findings

By Anttoni James Numminen

'Special' public meeting called over Scarborough bathing water pollution findings

The findings of an investigation into the causes of water pollution in Scarborough will be discussed at the meeting, councillors have announced.

It comes as the Environment Agency's (EA) updated bathing water ratings classed Scarborough's South Bay bathing water quality as 'poor', with swimming discouraged, and the North Bay's bathing water as 'adequate'.

Coun Liz Colling, chair of the Scarborough and Whitby Area Committee, said: "Members will be aware that last year North Yorkshire Council convened a water quality summit involving all the various agencies involved in our water quality.

"Over the summer, there has been a more detailed analysis and identification of sources of E. coli.

"Those reports and analyses have been carried out by the Environment Agency and Prof Darren Gröcke from Durham University, who is leading the pollution source study using nitrogen isotope analysis and seaweed sampling.

"A consolidated report incorporating all the findings will be published in the next month or so."

Coun Colling added: "Following that publication, and with the agreement and attendance of all the parties involved - the EA, Yorkshire Water, Durham University, Defra, McCain Foods - the area committee will hold an additional special meeting to discuss those findings."

For almost two years, Professor Darren Gröcke has been leading a comprehensive study of seaweed along the North Yorkshire coast from Filey to Hayburn Wyke, on behalf of North Yorkshire Council.

Through nitrogen isotope analysis of more than 3,000 samples, his findings show values linked to animal manure and human sewage as the dominant contributor to nitrogen pollution, according to the university.

The study also indicates Scalby Beck as a source of nitrogen pollution in Scarborough that is carried south by marine currents towards Scarborough South Bay, a popular visitor and leisure area.

It comes as the leader of North Yorkshire Council, Coun Carl Les, suggested that the authority's focus was moving away from the water quality summits towards smaller-scale working groups.

"I don't think we're going to have many more of these summit meetings, if any at all," he said last month, adding: "I think what we're more likely to do now is have working meetings between the experts about what the solution is and who's going to do what."

The exact date of the meeting has not yet been announced by North Yorkshire Council.

Previous articleNext article

POPULAR CATEGORY

misc

16615

entertainment

18254

corporate

15335

research

9192

wellness

15036

athletics

19108