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UK's 'Dirtiest' Sea Water Found in Coastal Gem
18 Aug
Summary
- Folkestone and Hythe has highest average bacteria score.
- Some local beaches have excellent water quality ratings.
- Out-of-season testing is suggested to find water contamination causes.
A recent study has identified Folkestone and Hythe as the local authority in England with the 'dirtiest' sea water. This district, which includes the highly-rated town of Folkestone, known for its popularity and inclusion in 'Best Places to Live' guides, recorded a mean bacteria score more than twice the national average. The study, which analyzed bathing water statistics for E. coli and intestinal enterococci, found beaches like Littlestone with a score of 8.213 and Dymchurch at 4.173, leading to 'poor' ratings.
Conversely, the area also boasts beaches with 'excellent' water quality, such as Hythe and Seabrook, with scores as low as 0.504. A spokesperson for Folkestone & Hythe District Council emphasized the need for out-of-season testing between October and April to pinpoint the causes of water quality deterioration, a measure they are proposing to the Environment Agency and Southern Water. Despite its overall ranking, individual beach quality can vary significantly within short distances.
