The Environment Agency has warned swimmers to stay away
The Environment Agency has warned swimmers to avoid the water(Image: Environment Agency SW)
Swimmers are being warned to avoid a popular Cornish beach over sewage pollution concerns.
The Environment Agency (EA) said it has confirmed there is a pollution risk at Polstreath Beach, near Mevagissey.
In a notice shared on Sunday, August 2, the EA told bathers to avoid entering the water at the beach.
“Avoid bathing at Polstreath Beach, near Mevagissey,” the EA said.
“We’ve confirmed a risk of sewage pollution impacting the bathing water.
“Advice will remain until pollution stops & two tidal cycles pass. We’re investigating and working with @SouthWestWater to resolve this.”
Sewage pollution is regularly reported in Cornwall, particularly during winter months when extensive rain leads to sewage overflows being released into rivers and on beaches.
South West Water says this is to prevent excess rain causing the system to back up and stop sewage from releasing into homes.
However, neither South West Water nor Surfers Against Sewage’s water quality maps show a storm overflow has been released at either of Mevagissey’s beaches, Polstreath or Portmellon.