Blue Flag beach sewage crisis as HUNDREDS of tourists fall sick at some of UK's best beaches

Blue Flag beach sewage crisis as HUNDREDS of tourists fall sick at some of UK's best beaches EXCLUSIVE: New figures from Surfers Against Sewage revealed hundreds of people started feeling unwell after visiting Blue Flag UK beaches that have officially been rated the best in the country Dozens of people have fallen ill at award-winning British Blue Flag beaches, new figures revealed, despite water quality being rated "excellent" by the Environment Agency and Natural Resources Wales this year. Marine conservation charity Surfers Against Sewage (SAS) received more than 700 reports of sickness across 406 areas, including some of the most picturesque beaches in the UK - among them beaches favoured by celebrities and former Prime Ministers. Many of them have been given top status as a Blue Flag location, meaning they have the highest water quality, minimal waste, good biodiversity, and are safe and accessible. But data reveals that some of them may also contain harmful pathogens, with visitors reporting falling unwell with gastrointestinal, ear, nose and throat, viral, respiratory and skin conditions. SAS revealed to the Mirror that it received 765 sickness reports across 406 locations in the UK in 2026 so far, with nearly half - 322 - coming in the months since May 1, as people flocked to the coast in the extreme heat. The majority of those reports came from Bournemouth, where 16 people said they fell unwell after visiting the coast. Another 13 came from Croyde Bay in Croyde, North Devon, with Polzeath, the stunning stretch of sand in North Cornwall and the favourite of former PM David Cameron, coming third on the list. Cameron bought a £2million home near the beach, which he has been frequently pictured enjoying alongside his wife Samantha, in 2017. Polzeath was also one of the beaches where royals like Princes William and Harry grew up surfing, and other celebrities, including Coldplay frontman Chris Martin and renowned UK super chef Gordon Ramsay have made their homes there. But 13 people have reported feeling unwell after a trip to the beach this year so far, according to the SAS figures, and before visits reached their height in the middle of the summer holidays. Polzeath is followed by Rest Bay, in Porthcawl, in Bridgend, Wales, where 12 people said they were unwell after a visit to the beach. In Exmouth, the port town south of Exeter in Devon, another 10 people said they fell ill, with nine submitting reports in Portreath, another picturesque town on the north Cornwall coast. Eight people said they were unwell after visiting Saunton Sands, a UNESCO-protected biosphere in North Devon's Braunton Burrows, Swanage Central in Dorset and Ogmore by Sea in Barry, Wales. Seven were recorded in Woolacombe Village, also in North Devon. The hundreds of additional cases and their locations can be seen on the map below: The majority of those areas and beaches included in the top 10 SAS figures - six - are either areas with beaches that have been given Blue Flag awards, or beaches that have previously won the prize. For instance, in Bournemouth, from where 13 sickness reports were submitted, three came from Durley Chine beach, which won the prize in 2026. The ones in the top 10 that didn't win the prize this year, Portreath, Saunton Sands and Woolacombe Village, were still in sparkling condition, according to the Environment Agency. Each of the trio were rated as having "excellent" quality of water in its latest ratings, which were handed down in 2025. The outlier among the group was Ogmore-by-Sea in Barry, which according to Natural Resources Wales, had "failed to meet water quality standards in the past few years". Bathing quality ratings across the UK can be seen on the map below: While the service said it was not sure why water quality has consistently dipped in the area, it said storm overflows and drainage, ageing infrastructure, road and urban pollution, misconnected pipes and farmland pollution could play a role. There is no indication what could be behind sickness at the Blue Flag locations, but sewage dumping by water companies, the SAS says, is "making us sick". Jo Morley, Head of Campaigns at SAS said in a statement to the Mirror: "Sewage dumping by water companies is making us sick. It has been for decades. "Thousands of water users are reporting this to us, and this is likely just the tip of the iceberg. From gastroenteritis and ear infections, to weeks off work and hospitalisations. This is a public health crisis. We know that sewage is pouring into our waters, even during this summer's exceptionally dry weather, and it's totally unacceptable that people are getting ill in any case, especially after using bathing waters rated as 'excellent.'" "Our sickness reports are the only data showing the scale of sickness from sewage. There is no official Government data, and no legal protections for people using the water. "This is symptomatic of a totally broken system that has put profits first for too long, allowing polluters to cash in in whilst dumping sewage without punishment, and this has to change. We should not have to worry about getting sick before diving in, any time of year, especially the summer. "If you're heading to the beach or your local swim spot, make sure you check the Safer Seas and Rivers Service for pollution alerts." SAS has received thousands of sickness reports since 2019, when it started recording, with a total of 8,313 in the last seven years. Most of those cases have come from Exmouth, which recorded 203, with Hove recording 140, Polzeath 117, Harlyn Bay 101, Westward Ho! 98, Tankerton 94, Gyllyngvase 85, Shoreham Beach 82, Worthing 78, and Summerleaze, for which 76 were recorded. SAS has urged Brits to use its Safer Seas and River Service to check for real-time pollution alerts if they head to the coast this summer. The charity hosts the service both on its website and via its own app, via which it tells people to report whether they become unwell after using UK water. The charity has also urged the Government to end privatisation in the water industry, and has championed the Clean Water Act as a path forward for the industry that protects both public health and the environment. It urged Prime Minister Andy Burnham to take control of failing water companies, remove their profit motive and pursue restructuring, starting with Thames Water. The Mirror has contacted Keep England Clean and Keep Wales Clean, which administer the Blue Flag Awards to beaches in England and Wales. An Environment Agency spokesperson said: "We urge members of the public to follow UKHSA advice on swimming safely and to check Swimfo before visiting any of the country's 464 designated bathing waters. "There are a range of sources of bacteria in our rivers, lakes and seas. These can include runoff from fields containing farm animals, as well as sewage treatment works and storm overflows, particularly following periods of heavy rainfall. Some bacteria can make people unwell." "Our waters are also home to a wide variety of wildlife, including birds and other animals, which naturally contribute bacteria to the environment and can affect water quality." A Natural Resources Wales spokesperson said: “We want people to enjoy Wales’ rivers, lakes and coastlines safely this summer. "We monitor water quality at Wales' designated bathing waters throughout the bathing season, with results published online to help people make informed decisions about where and when to enter the water. Anyone who sees potential pollution should report it directly to us on 03000 65 3000 or online at naturalresources.wales/reportit, so our officers can respond. “Natural water bodies can contain bacteria and other contaminants from a range of sources that are not always visible and can sometimes cause illness. We investigate reports of suspected pollution affecting rivers, lakes and coastal waters and work with partners, including water companies and local authorities, to establish the cause of incidents. "Where there is evidence of environmental harm or breaches of environmental legislation, we take appropriate regulatory action. We encourage people to take sensible precautions when using open water, including avoiding swallowing water, washing or sanitising hands before eating, and seeking medical advice if they feel unwell after water activities. You can find advice here: Staying safe in outdoor water in Wales - Public Health Wales”