Find out about the groups

What can I do?

1

Think before you flush…

To avoid blockages and overflows, please put disposable products such as wet wipes, cotton buds and sanitary items in the bin, not down the toilet. Remember our simple rule to only flush the 3 Ps: Pee, Poo and Paper. Nothing else should go down the loo - even if it says ‘flushable’ on the packaging!

2

Think before you pour…

Don’t pour kitchen fats, oils and grease down the sink as they can cause sewer blockages, which can overflow into homes, seas, rivers and lakes. And road drains often lead straight into our rivers and seas. Please only pour things down the drain that you would like to swim in!

3

Check your drains - it’s easier than it sounds…

Check your home or business is connected to the right drainage system. Wrongly connected plumbing could mean dirty water from toilets, dishwashers and showers going directly into your local river, lake or sea. Visit www.connectright.org for more information.

4

Pick up your dog’s poo and bin it…

When you’re out walking your dog, please help by picking up your dog’s poo and putting it in a bin. Please check signs and only walk your dog in designated dog-friendly areas to help protect water quality and beaches. You may be fined if you don’t remove your dog’s poo.

5

Check your septic tank…

If your property is connected to a septic tank, cess pit or package sewage treatment plant, please check it’s working correctly and keep it maintained. Faulty or poorly maintained systems can cause serious pollution problems.

6

Catch your rainwater…

Use a water butt to collect rain water for your garden and help reduce the amount of water running into surface water drains or sewers.

7

Put litter in the bin…

Especially food waste as it encourages birds and their poo can affect water quality. Broken bottles and cans can be dangerous for children and wildlife so please take them with you off the beach, or better still, put them in a recycling bin!

8

Come along to a beach clean…

There are many active local groups organising beach cleans. Head to 'Events' to find out when the next event is, and if you can’t find one we can help you set up a new LOVEmyBEACH group.

9

LOVEmyBEACH at work…

Speak to your employer about following some of these top tips in the workplace, such as fat traps for catering, or toilet stickers asking people to think before they flush.

10

Spread the word about LOVEmyBEACH

Our beaches are important and the more people helping us keep them that way, the better! Every action goes some way to cleaner seas, beaches and lakes. Lead by example and share information about your beach and how to keep it clean and please encourage your local community and businesses to LOVEmyBEACH too.

At the beach...

Building sandcastles, walking your dog, paddling in the sea; experiences to be enjoyed when there’s no excess litter on the beach. However, the majority of litter on..

At home...

Households across the North-west are connected to the sea by the rivers network, which lead to the coast. During times of excess rain, or through built up blockages..

As a dog owner...

We're sure you’re a responsible dog owner who picks up after your dog. Unfortunately not all dog owners are and if you're as frustrated as us that dog mess is causing..

As a local business...

Millions of people visit the North-west’s beaches every year – taking a dip in the sea, wandering along the beach and playing in the sand. The natural beauty of the..

As a teacher...

If you’re looking for new ways to inspire children to look after the environment whilst linking to the curriculum, then look no further! At LOVEmyBEACH we’ve..

Fylde

Here at Fylde LOVEmyBEACH we aim to inspire and empower communities to take care of their local beach environment. People can show they love their beach by heading out on

Morecambe/Cumbria

LOVEmyBEACH Morecambe and Cumbria is run by the Morecambe Bay Partnership. By working together – with businesses, farmers, visitors, Town and Parish Councils and volunteers – we want to do all

Water quality

The Environment Agency monitors bathing waters – stretches of sea or lake where many people swim and paddle – to assess whether they meet the strict standards of the European Bathing Water Directive. The standards are set to protect public health and the environment from pollution.

The Environment Agency takes 20 water samples at each bathing water between May and September each year and post the information online: http://environment.data.gov.uk/bwq/profiles/

The samples are tested for certain types of bacteria: escherichia coli (E.coli) and intestinal enterococci, which are not directly harmful but indicate the presence of pollution. The bacteria are found in the intestines of animals and humans and pass through the body in poo. High levels of bacteria = poor water quality.

However, the water may be cleaner on the actual day you visit the beach, as the quality can change, particularly after heavy rain washes pollution into rivers and the sea. Look out for daily forecasts at some beaches.

Each beach is also given an annual classification. From 2015 this is based on sample results over the previous four years, e.g. 2015 results use data from 2012, 2013, 2014 and 2015. 2016 results use data from 2013 to 2016 and so on. The classifications are:

Excellent

The standard is the highest, cleanest class

Good

Generally good water quality

Sufficient

The water meets the minimum standards

Poor

Bathing is not advised at this beach as water quality has not met sufficient standards

If a bathing water is classed as Poor, you are advised not to bathe because samples taken over the previous four years have been affected by pollution. This does not mean the beach is closed – you can still enjoy everything the beach has to offer.

If a water sample has high levels of bacteria, analysis is done to estimate* the sources of pollution and work is planned in the area to improve water quality. When this work is significant and is expected to help improve bathing water quality, the four years of data for the annual classification starts from the time the work is completed and sample data from before the work are not included. This is called step change.

*Estimates are based on computer modelling, DNA analysis, and knowledge of the local area. The estimates can never be perfect because pollution to bathing waters changes from day to day depending on the season, the tides and the weather.