Surfers Against Sewage Offer Modern Way To Monitor Beach Pollution

Never ones to shirk cutting edge modern technology, our friends at Surfers Against Sewage (SAS) have released an app which will give bathers and surfers real-time warnings about pollution incidents on popular beaches. The alert service is free and has been funded by the Environment Agency, having been released by SAS.

The App Will Help Surfers Like These

Up to 260 beaches around the UK shores will be covered by the app, with warnings about such matters as untreated sewage and storm water problems. Not content with providing that information, the app also has links to surf reports and bathing water profiles. It has been developed in response to concerns about the rising number of sewage spills at UK beaches and surfing spots during the May to September bathing season, which can cause illnesses.

SAS campaign director Andy Cummins, said: "Now surfers and water users are best placed to make informed decisions about how, when and where they use the sea."

Environment minister Richard Benyon said the app would "make it much easier for people to find real-time information on water quality and make well-informed choices about where to swim".

The app has access to real-time data from water companies on combined sewer overflows. The overflows allow untreated sewage and storm water into the sea in periods of heavy rain to prevent sewers backing up. It sends out alerts when pollution reaches "dangerous levels", the charity said.

The information is also posted online, and non-smartphone users can get free text message alerts. The app also allows bathers to interact by sending a "must try harder" message to any relevant water company, as well as report pollution incidents to the Environment Agency.

http://www.sas.org.uk/