A beach in a popular tourist destination beloved by Brits has been deemed too dangerous to swim at due to its unclean waters.
The Environment Agency provides an interactive map that flags up areas along England’s coast at risk of pollution, and one has been highlighted in North Devon.
From May through September, the Environment Agency conducts weekly water quality assessments at bathing sites across England.
This ensures that the designated coastal bathing water sites maintain high water quality standards and are safe and clean for swimming and other activities.
Each site is classified annually as excellent, good, sufficient or poor based on samples taken over a period of up to four years, reports.
Wildersmouth Beach in Ilfracombe is nestled next to the Landmark Theatre on the town’s seafront in a sheltered cove with a rocky cliff and stone sea wall.
However, the Environment Agency has classified the water at Wildersmouth as poor and advises against swimming there.
This was the site where a young girl contracted a parasitic bug in 2018, resulting in a two-night hospital stay.
According to the most recent data from the Environment Agency’s website, water samples from the area contained 250 colonies of E. coli and 94 colonies of intestinal enterococci per 100ml of sample water.
For this reason, there is a permanent advisory against swimming.
All is not lost if you’re looking to brave a winter dip in Devon, as Hele and Tunnels beaches, both in Ilfracombe, are suitable for swimming.
If you plan to swim in open water, there are measures you can take to ensure protection against pollution and sickness.
Cover up cuts and scratches with a waterproof plaster, avoid swallowing water, and wash your hands and swimwear as soon as possible after swimming.
