Beach water standards have dropped



Heavy rain over the summer has been blamed for Formby's bathing water failing to meet cleanliness standards for the first time in 10 years.

Formby's sea water met mandatory EU standards, but failed on its levels of bacteria.

Ainsdale and Southport beaches also failed, meaning Ainsdale cannot reapply for its Blue Flag award.

A report to Sefton Council's leisure and tourism meeting said results had declined nationally, in the samples taken last summer.

It said: "The result of the heavy rainfall and flooding was a deterioration in water quality at many bathing waters, with many poor results."

Formby's sea water was rated Excellent by the Environment Agency from 2002-2006, better than any other beach in the area. For 2007 it was rated Good.

New stricter EU criteria of measuring water standards - the revised Bathing Water Directive - will come into effect by March.

This will make it around twice as tough to get Excellent ratings, with the new Good rating being about the same standard as the previous Excellent rating.

The Environment Agency has asked United Utilities to improve some sewage overflows around Preston that they believe is spoiling the quality of Sefton's bathing water.

United Utilities appealed against the notices and a decision is pending.

By Natasha Robson

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