The British holiday industry got a huge boost last week when it was announced that the UK seawater quality has never been better! The Marine Conservation Society, who test the seawater around the UK are attributing a dry summer during 2013 for the increase in quality, which has seen record numbers of UK beaches achieving top quality bathing water.
It’s absolutely fantastic news for the UK holiday industry with the trend for staycations at an all time high, and will surely see even more people staying at home for the summer break.
Due to several wet summers UK water quality had fallen, and the MCS say that people don’t really realise how much of the land’s pollutants run into the sea. This reading after last year’s dry summer really does indicate just how much the weather can affect sea quality. Of course after the storms and rain of early 2014, this could have further affect on the sea quality, but it’s a constant battle to maintain standards.
By the end of 2015, all designated bathing water must meet the new minimum sufficient standard under a new EU directive and that could have a direct effect on many holiday parks and seaside towns around the UK. The UK travel industry relies on its history and its coastline to bring the visitors in, and with no bathing, it’s much more difficult to ‘sell’ a seaside resort.
Of course, while none of us can prevent pollutants running off the land into the sea, there is a little all of us can do to keep our beaches and our coastline cleaner. Don’t forget to take a rubbish bag when you visit the coast this summer, unlike the cities, coastal paths and beaches rarely have a bin every few feet. Try and leave the beach as you found it, and even consider picking up one piece of someone else’s rubbish as you go too, it can really make a difference!
Source: Good Beach Guide
By: Kath Cross
