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If you use the ocean SAS need you
by Richard Hardy
23/12/2006:// Do your surf, windsurf, kitesurf, dive, kayak, sail (dinghy or small yachts)or swim in the sea off any of the North East's beaches between Saltburn and Hartley Reef?
And do you use the water from the beginning of October to the end of April?
If the answer to BOTH of these questions is YES - then Surfers Against Sewage (SAS) need your help!
Northumbrian Water has applied to the Environment Agency to turn-off the UV disinfection sewage treatment process outside the ‘bathing season’ at 6 sewage treatment works in the north east (Howdon, Hendon, Seaton Carew, Billingham, Bran Sands and Marske). SAS are objecting on the grounds that water quality will be reduced, therefore increasing the risk of contracting a sewage related illness in a region highly popular with recreational water users.
In order for us to challenge Northumbrian Water's assumption that 'on average no more than 10 surfers per week use the sea for recreation in this region from the beginning of October to the end of April' we want water users to send us their pictures of people using the water for recreation during this time. Ideally it needs to document line-ups as opposed to individuals surfing as we want to show how well used these beaches can be on their day, however please do send us any individual shots as this can still help us show people are using the water throughout the winter and beyond!
The quality doesn't have to be great (mobile phone shots could be OK) but we do need them emailed. Can you also tell us where it is and when it was taken. Also try and keep the pictures smallish in size (around the 1MB size)
The beaches we are particularly interested in are Hartley Reef (near Tynemouth) , Whitley Bay, Tynemouth area, South Shields, Whitburn, Sunderland area, Hartlepool area, Coatham, Redcar and Saltburn. If you use other beaches that are in this area still please send them, but again tell us where they are.
The more we get the more success we'll have in challenging Northumbrian Water's proposal to turn off the UV disinfection process at local sewage treatment works. If Northumbrian Water are successful then water quality will become poorer right across the region and increase the chances of us becoming sick more often.
Send your pics to
northeastpics@sas.org.uk
We must get them by 28th February 2007. We'll then use them in an action to support our ongoing campaigning.
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