Water quality warning: Multiple sewage warnings across the North East cause concern

There have been a number of dolphin sightings at Seaton Sluice in recent weeks.
Nineteen bottlenose dolphins were spotted on June 3, 2021 near Rocky Island and fifteen were seen a few days before on May 31, 2021.
Fifteen bottlenose dolphins were spotted on May 27, 2021 and 20 bottlenose dolphins were spotted on May 26, 2021.
Another sighting, reported on May 24, 2021, confirmed that 35 bottlenose dolphins were seen in the area.
Meanwhile, a harbour porpoise was seen on May 18, 2021 and another two harbour porpoises were spotted on May 17, 2021. — There have been a number of dolphin sightings at Seaton Sluice in recent weeks. Nineteen bottlenose dolphins were spotted on June 3, 2021 near Rocky Island and fifteen were seen a few days before on May 31, 2021. Fifteen bottlenose dolphins were spotted on May 27, 2021 and 20 bottlenose dolphins were spotted on May 26, 2021. Another sighting, reported on May 24, 2021, confirmed that 35 bottlenose dolphins were seen in the area. Meanwhile, a harbour porpoise was seen on May 18, 2021 and another two harbour porpoises were spotted on May 17, 2021.

Over the past few months multiple reports have surfaced regarding water quality issues, after multiple incidents of sea wildlife showing up dead due to pollution. The app created by Surfers Against Sewage has marked multiple beaches in the area as unsafe.

Now the Environment Agency has opened a formal investigation after an incident where hundreds of dead crabs washed up on Seaton Sluice beach, as well as Redcar.

This is unfortunately another in a series of events that have occurred in waters throughout the North East.

On August 23 swans had to be put down after being reported as looking unhealthy. It turned out that the cause of the illness was avian botulism, a fatal disease that happens in hot weather and water that has little oxygen.

As for action being taken locals have organised a meeting with Northumbrian Waters that is set to take place at 11:30am on Monday 11th of October in the Marske Leisure Centre.

NewcastleWorld spoke with one of the organisers of the meeting who said the event was to address the ‘archaic’ sewage system with Northumbrian Waters:

“[the sewage system] over flows sewage onto all our local beaches every time there is a downpour of rain. It’s occurred over 23 times this year and they need to be held accountable.

“This is the first time they’ve held a public meeting here and it’s taken a lot to get them here so I am hoping there is a good turn out”

Warnings against allowing your dogs to swim in the reported beaches have been issued while the investigation is still underway.

Tynemouth Longsands North and South, Whitley Bay, and King Edwards Bay do not currently have any water quality warnings in place. Meaning the annual Tynemouth Open Surf Competition will go ahead as planned. In association with what is set to be a big weekend in North Shields with the upcoming North Sea Weekender festival.