East coast's water quality has 'improved hugely'

The Environment Agency (EA) said coastal water quality in the East of England had "improved hugely" over 20 years.

The agency's latest ratings showed all 35 destinations tested in the region met the minimum bathing water standards.

Places recording improvements included Heacham, Wells-next-the-Sea, Hunstanton Main and Caister-on-Sea in Norfolk, as well as Holland-on-Sea, Manningtree and Jaywick in Essex.

EA water manager Andrew Raine said swimmers should feel reassured but water cleanliness group Surfers Against Sewage said the system should be more robust.

Sandra Chant goes in the sea off Sheringham, Norfolk, which is rated as having excellent water quality.

She said the water's occasional brown colour was down to sand being churned up.

"The only time we really have a problem here is when it's been raining, so it's all natural water run-off.

"The beck will just go out into the sea and that's where you can see there's a bit more of a brown sludge but after a couple of tide turns, it's clear."

Sally King, who also takes dips in the sea at Sheringham, said:

"Sometimes, you look at that water and it's blue, it's green. It is just fabulous.

"Years ago, I grew up in North Norfolk. There was a lot worse floating around then."

Andrew Raine from the EA said they carried out weekly testing, focusing on places where they know people swim and beaches with known issues like Heacham.

He said: "There is a public perception that water quality isn't great but the reality is, over the last two decades, it's improved hugely.

"But there's always more that can be done and we're keen to still push all those responsible; water companies, farmers, industry, to keep making those improvements.

"But the reality is, if you swim in any of East Anglia's seas and a vast majority of the rivers, you will find good-quality water".

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