1. Where can I take my dog to the beach?
Dogs are banned from all Blue Flag beaches and should be kept on leads on all areas adjoining the beach. However, the ban, which is normally enforced through bye laws, will only affect the main section of the beach during the bathing season, generally between May and September. Areas which ban dogs should be clearly sign posted. To find out where dogs will be welcomed ring the beach operator/local council to check before going (the telephone numbers are in the guide). Visitors to all beaches should be prepared to pick up any mess their pet may leave and dispose of it in the bins provided.
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2. What are the health risks of swimming in polluted water?
A major part of water pollution is caused by potential health-threatening micro-organisms such as bacteria and viruses. There are three main sources of contamination:
1. HUMANS:
Someone somewhere is always carrying pathogens (very small disease-carrying organisms) in his or her body, whether they make the person ill or not. Human pathogens get into the waste water via toilets.
2. ANIMALS:
All animals carry a quantity of micro-organisms in their digestive system that are potentially threatening for humans. Dog droppings, for example, can get into the waste water network when pavements and streets are flushed after heavy rainfall. Manure from pigs and cows is spread on the land as fertiliser. After heavy rainfall some of this can be washed off into nearby streams or rivers and arrive at the bathing area without passing through a waste water treatment plant.
3. INDUSTRY:
Particularly the agro-food industry such as slaughter houses and meat processing factories, tanneries, milk processing etc. The presence of micro- biological pathogens is generally measured by indicator germs such as faecal coliforms and faecal streptococci.
The only way of getting pathogens into you body is by swallowing quantities of water, even very small amounts, when you submerge completely when swimming or playing. Everybody can be contaminated, but the more vulnerable are small children, the elderly and people already weakened by, say, illness or tiredness. Some bathers become carriers of these contaminants, although they may not necessarily become ill. The most common symptoms associated with bathing are gastric-intestinal such as diarrhoea or vomiting, ear/eye/respiratory symptoms and skin irritation.
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3. How do I know that the beach and water quality is safe enough for my children to swim?
Firstly, no beach is 'safe', because of its intrinsic nature and proximity to water, rocks and sand dunes. However, Blue Flag Award beaches are relatively safe as they will have assessed the risks, identified any potential hazards and provided appropriate lifesaving equipment.
The bathing water quality at all Blue Flag Award beaches meet the legislation's guidline standards, based on the Bathing Water Directive 76/160/EEC. In the UK the water quality is tested every week during the bathing season and the main results displayed at award beaches along with summary details for previous years.
The results for the current and previous years are usually represented by:
The test(s) passed the higher, guideline standards which is the recommended, highest standard of bathing water.
The test(s) passed the legal minimum, mandatory standard
The test(s) failed the legal minimum standards and it is not recommended for swimming For the latest information you could also check the following websites before deciding which beach to visit:
England and Wales - Environment Agency: www.environment-agency.gov.uk.
Scotland - Scottish Environment Protection Agency www.sepa.org.uk
Northern Ireland - Environment and Heritage Service: www.ehsni.gov.uk
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4. What are the requirements of the 76/160/EEC Bathing Water Directive?
This Directive was one of the first agreed in Brussels and has two objectives:
1. To improve or maintain the quality of amenity bathing waters 2. To protect public health.
There are nineteen physical, chemical and microbiological parameters, thirteen of which have mandatory or guideline values. It is the main microbiological parameters that are considered for the Blue Flag. There are two standards:
The guideline, or recommended, standards consider faecal coliform, total coliform and faecal streptococci:
Total coliform no more than: 500 per 100 ml
Faecal coliform no more than: 100 per 100 ml
Faecal streptococci no more than: 100 per 100 ml
To achieve this overall result for a season 80% of all the samples (16 out of 20) must be equal to, or better than, the above standards for total and faecal coliform and 90% (18 out of 20) must be equal to, or better than, the above standard for faecal streptococci. The water must also comply with the legal minimum standard. It is this guideline standard that is required for a Blue Flag at a resort beach.
The mandatory, or legal minimum, standards consider faecal coliform and total coliform:
Total coliform no more than: 10,000 per 100 ml
Faecal coliform no more than: 2,000 per 100 ml
To achieve this overall result for a season 95% of all the samples (19 out of 20) must be equal to, or better than, the above standards.
The test(s) failed the legal mandatory standards.
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5. Who tests the water quality?
In England and Wales the water is monitored by the Environment Agency. In Scotland it is the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) and in Northern Ireland it is monitored by the Environment and Heritage Service, an agency within the Department of the Environment. It is tested against standards set in the EC Bathing Water Directive 76/160/EEC.
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6. Where can I take a relative confined to a wheel chair?
It is recommended that all Blue Flag beaches have disabled facilities, granting them access to the beach, surrounding buildings, and the toilets. At least one beach in every authority must have such facilities. Access to the beach should be facilitated by access ramps adapted to users with various disabilities. If possible, access to the water is recommended.
Toilet facilities should be designed for wheelchair and other disabled users. This access for the disabled should comply with the ISO Standard Code for Access. The beach must comply with national regulations regarding access and facilities for disabled persons, and it is recommended to contact the national organisation for disabled persons. In addition, parking areas whenever provided should have reserved spaces for disabled persons parking.
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7. There are several different award schemes for beaches. What is the difference between them?
The Blue Flag compares beaches throughout the world that meet high standards of cleanliness and management, promote coastal environmental care and have attained the higher guideline standard of water quality. It refers only to the busier 'resort' beaches. It is reviewed annually and administered by ENCAMS in England and Northern Ireland, by Keep Scotland Beautiful in Scotland and by Keep Wales Tidy in Wales on behalf of FEE (Foundation for Environmental Education). A distinctive blue flag is on display at each beach along with useful information. Blue Flags are also given to Marinas which meet high standards of management and cleanliness.
The Quality Coast Award was launched in April 2007 and recognises different types of beaches throughout England that achieve the very highest standards. When people visit a beach that displays this award it is an indication that they will enjoy a quality coastal experience. The purpose of the Quality Coast Award is to acknowledge different parts of the coastline throughout the year that are well managed to suit the needs of different users. This award aims to reflect the hugely diverse nature of the coastline, the quality of our beaches, and is open to all beaches irrespective of whether their water quality is monitored. To complement the award, there is also a public website www.qualitycoast.org that allows people to search for those beaches with a Quality Coast Award that match their particular requirements.
The Green Coast is a programme being run in Wales and Ireland which recognises the more remote rural beaches which have sound environmental management and have the guideline standards of bathing water. They will not have the necessary infrastructure to meet the Blue Flag criteria and are ideal for those wishing to enjoy a beach experience far removed from the intrusions normally associated with the traditional and more urban beaches. It is co-ordinated by Keep Wales Tidy and in Ireland by Antaisce.
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8. If I find a problem on a beach, such as dogs in a dog-restricted area or overflowing litter bins, who should I report this to?
Tell the beach operator immediately. At all Blue Flag beaches the Beach operator's contact name and number is displayed at the central information point. You could also contact us at ENCAMS and we shall raise this point with the people responsible for managing the beach. It is through feedback from beach visitors that we can make sure that standards are continuously being maintained. For queries in Scotland click here, for queries in Wales click here.
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9. What can individuals do to help protect the coastline?
Help protect our coastline by observing the Waterside Code which can be summed up by 'leave nothing but footprints, take nothing but photographs, waste nothing but time'! There are various campaigns which would welcome your help in looking after the beach.
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10. What is the Waterside Code?
WATERSIDE CODE
Help protect our aquatic environments for future generations to enjoy by observing the Waterside Code:
KEEP BEACHES CLEAN
Take litter home, recycle it or put it in a proper bin.
Only take dogs to beaches where they are welcome and keep them under close control and, if necessary, clean up after your dog and dispose of the mess in an appropriate bin.
Bag and bin items of sanitary protection, nappies and other plastic products and don't dispose of them down the toilet.
Send comments about Award beaches to the beach operator or to ENCAMS for England and Northern Ireland. For queries in Scotland click here, for queries in Wales click here.
BE SAFE AT THE SEASIDE
Ensure that you and your children learn to swim.
Never leave a young child unsupervised at the seaside.
Observe warning signs and flags regarding the safety of the beach and water.
Cover up your child with loose clothing and a sun hat to avoid sunburn.
Don't use inflatable beds or toys on the sea as they could easily drift out into deep water.
Protect coastal and river habitats
Don't build fires in dunes.
Don't disturb habitats or pick plants or flowers.
Take all debris home after fishing as it could easily harm wildlife.
Keep our marinas and boatyards clean
Follow the Environmental Code of Conduct for boat users.
Don't release toilet water or fuel into coastal waters and sensitive areas.
Use the most environmentally friendly products including paints, anti-fouling, paint remover and detergents.
Report any pollution incidents to the Environment Agency (hotline tel: 0800 807060).
REMEMBER:
Leave nothing but footprints, take nothing but photographs, waste nothing but time.
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11. How does a beach apply for an award?
In England and Northern Ireland the application forms for Blue Flag awards will be available through the website. For details on how to apply in Scotland click here and for details on how to apply in Wales click here. The beach operator submits an application to ENCAMS, together with supporting documents, in late autumn. During the summer season preceding the year in which the award is valid, all existing Blue Flag beaches are assessed by qualified surveyors.
ENCAMS forward their recommendations for Blue Flag beaches and marinas to the International Jury in April and the results for Blue Flag are announced in mid May.
APPLICANT
Beaches can be submitted for consideration for an Award by the beach operator. In most cases this is the Local Authority but it can be a parish council or private organisation.
SURVEY
Beaches and marinas are assessed during the season preceding that in which the awards are given. Therefore, the ENCAMS Office should be notified of any beach wishing to be considered for an award as soon as possible in order that judging schedules can be arranged. Once the ENCAMS Office has been informed, they will contact the beach operator to discuss the site and explain the criteria in more depth. If the application is postponed there may be a charge to cover the assessor's expenses. New beaches will be formally assessed as part of the annual Survey conducted during July and August.
WATER QUALITY
The bathing water must be monitored, results must be in compliance with the Bathing Water Directive 76/160/EEC. The majority of sites are identified and monitored by the Environment Agency in England and Wales, Dept of Environment in Northern Ireland, Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) in Scotland. If a site is not regularly monitored, it is necessary to arrange that samples are tested by either the appropriate competent authority or a licensed public health laboratory. In some cases the competent authority will make a small charge for this service. In the first instance, contact the relevant agency in your country to check monitoring arrangements and results. To be considered for either award the bathing water at a beach must comply with the appropriate Bathing Water Directive standards for the previous year.
TIMING:
Applications forms will be available to be downloaded in autumn and should be returned by November for the year preceding the Awards i.e. applications for 2008 must be received by the end of November 2007. ENCAMS must be notified of new entries wishing to be considered for an Award in 2007 by the end of May 2008.
DATES 2006 /2007 ENGLAND AND NORTHERN IRELAND
July/August: Survey of beaches and marinas
Late October: application forms available
November: water quality results published by DEFRA and awards applications deadline
January: National Jury meet to discuss all applications
March: ENCAMS forward Blue Flag recommendations to International Jury
May: deadline for ENCAMS to be notified of new beach wishing to be considered the following year
May: Blue Flag announcements
For further application information please contact:
Diane Cliff / Emma Dickinson, ENCAMS
01942 612638
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12. How many beaches are there in England and Northern Ireland?
There are 93 Blue Flag Award beaches in England and Northern Ireland, although there are currently 552 official bathing sites in the UK which are identified and monitored according to the Bathing Water Directive 76/160/EEC. However, there are many more beaches or accessible stretches of coastline, some of which are monitored in addition to these officially identified sites, either by the Environment Agency or the beach operator. Many stretches of the 9,040 miles of coastline are inaccessible.
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