Swimmers 'to be warned about water quality'

A new system has been launched in the UK to alert swimmers about the water quality of the sea.

Earlier this week, Keep Britain Today announced it will implement an improved warning procedure which will inform the public if sewage has been found on Blue Flag beaches.

Environmental campaign group Surfers Against Sewage (SAS) had previously argued that Britain's Blue Flag coastlines were not adequately alerting the public about sewage spills in the sea, which would dramatically reduce the water quality of the area.

Last month, SAS called for 24 beaches to lose their Blue Flag status after discovering that they were not adequately informing swimmers and water-users of sewage discharges, despite the Blue Flag being a symbol of excellent water quality and beach cleanliness.

SAS campaign director Andy Cummins said: "From 2011 the public using Blue Flag beaches will be provided with the information they deserve to make an informed decision before they potentially expose themselves to harmful pathogens from sewage polluted waters."

Posted by Joseph Hutton