Gower volunteers’ success in winter-water testing to fight sewage in the sea
Volunteers have taken more than 275 samples across 16 sites on 13 beaches from Loughor, Rhossili, Horton, Pobbles, Pwll Du, as well as a few around Swansea Bay. The samples are tested for bacteria found in sewage, particularly intestinal enterococci, E. coli and coliforms, which can be harmful to health.
The majority – 94.6% – of the samples provided excellent results. However 5.4% of the tests showed high levels of bacteria – most were associated with wet weather.
Nature Days scientist Dawn Thomas, who has been overseeing the project, says: ‘We are very lucky and proud to say that the majority of beaches around Gower have excellent water quality.’
All of the samples were sent to a pathology lab in Manchester used by Surfers Against Sewage. The Gower Society says the data is needed to help agencies including Natural Resources Wales, Welsh Water, Swansea Council and Welsh Government to target their resources at the worst affected beaches.
The project was started last year by Gower MP Tonia Antoniazzi to address a critical gap in testing, as regular water quality measurements are not typically done during winter. Natural Resources Wales only has the budget to measure between May to October. It has now taken over the testing.
Tonia Antoniazzi MP praised the volunteer team who’ve made it all possible: “I think the community involvement has been magic. Seeing the enthusiasm of our volunteers – especially the school children from Penyrheol and Knelston, the generosity of local businesses and the hard work done by the Gower Society. It’s fantastic. I think this project is a blueprint for the future. I shall be sharing the idea with other coastal MPs.”
The organisers are keen to restart again this winter.
Sarah Samuel from the Gower Society said: “There’s a need to carry this on. We need to keep collecting this data so we can keep our seawater clean. We have the support of the volunteers we just need more businesses to come forward to help us fund the testing kits.”
The 275 testing kits used so far have been bought for £22 each. They were funded by local organisations including the Gower Society, Nature Days, Surfside Cafe, Penguin Recruitment, Bay Studios, St Mary’s Square Developments, The Morgans Collection and Burrows Caravan Park.
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