Swimmers test sea water amid quality concerns

Scarborough swimmers have been shown how to test water from seaside bathing spots following concerns about the water quality at the town's North and South Bay.

Scientists from Imperial College London encouraged residents to bring their own water samples to an event at Gallows Close Centre in the town.

Testing kits revealed different types of pollution in the water, ranging from sewage to run-off from farms.

Organisers said the session would help beachgoers to make informed decisions about swimming in the water off the North Yorkshire coast.

Samples of water at Scarborough's North Bay showed the standard had dropped from "good" to "sufficient" and South Bay retained the lowest rating of "poor", according to the latest data from the Environment Agency.

Dr Leon Barron, from Imperial College London, said the testing event was a form of "citizen science", which would help residents improve their understanding of issues with water quality.

"They know their communities and their areas best, so they come in with all that knowledge we don't have and we train them how to test a sample," he said.

"We explain what it means and they can continue to test thereafter."

In coastal towns, Dr Barron said they would look for things like wastewater and sewage in the samples.

"We also might want to look out for run-off from agriculture or industrial parks," he added.

Some of the samples would be sent off to Imperial College London to look at more detailed chemistry and other contaminants in the water, such as caffeine.

Sue Baxter, who regularly bodyboards at North and South Bay, attended the event.

"North Bay always was very good but this last year the rating has gone down, which was a real issue," she said.

Ms Baxter said she had "real worries" over the decline in water quality.

Testing her sample alongside swimmer Janet Wilson, the women found fertiliser from farms in the water.

"We do monitor sewage discharge," Ms Wilson said.

"We always wash our kit afterwards, have a shower and don't put our heads under," Ms Baxter added.

"We had one lady who was very ill when she put her head under."

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