Sewage Crisis Threatens Scarborough Coastline as North Bay Pollution Worsens

By Natasha Haw

Water pollution concerns are intensifying in Scarborough as the focus shifts to the declining North Bay.

Photo by Natasha Haw: Scarborough North Bay

An academic investigation into water pollution in Scarborough has identified sewage as the primary source of contamination affecting the popular beach.

The Environment Agency has classed Scarborough’s South Bay water quality as “poor” and North Bay’s as “adequate”, two years after having been rated as “good”.

Rich Maw, a North Yorkshire and Scarborough Town councillor who represents the Weaponness and Ramshill wards said that increased housing could be putting a strain on the infrastructure.

“It’s quite apparent that there isn’t enough capacity… for the combined sewer outlets to cope,” he said. “There are spills into the river and they’re put straight into North Bay.”

Since his election in 2019, Cllr Maw has worked closely with Surfers Against Sewage, a campaigning charity formed in the 1990s who aim to end sewage discharges by 2030, helping to “shine a spotlight” on the issue and increase national attention.

[embed]Video by Natasha Haw: Councillor Rich Maw talks about the pollution and the councils plans moving forwards

Listen to full interview with Cllr Rich Maw

Cllr Maw highlighted major infrastructure improvements, including a £28 million investment by McCains, a local factory, to improve waste filtration, as well as looking at one of the combined sewer outfalls, however he warned that the problem persists.

Maw added: “The pressure is on Yorkshire water to fulfil their commitment to spend £150 million pounds on delivering a fix in North Bay.”

At a recent meeting, held by Scarborough Town Council, residents heard evidence from Professor Darren Gröcke, who collected 3,400 seaweed samples over two years to trace nitrogen pollution.

[embed]Recording by Natasha Haw: Professor Darren Gröcke discusses his investigation into the causes of pollution in Scarborough

Professor Gröcke of Durham University said: “The sewage seems to be the dominant source of the nitrogen, whether it’s animal or human it’s hard to discern those differences.

“Everything seems to be pointing to Scalby Beck.”

Surfers Against Sewage, a campaigning charity formed in the 1990s, aim to end sewage discharges by 2030.

Steve Crawford, a Surfers Against Sewage campaigner, claims that the pollution is threatening business and the wellbeing of local residents.

Steve, who lost his surf school after concerns about the cleanliness of the water he was teaching in, said: “I ran it pretty happily, I knew there were some issues, I kept at the council about it, I kept pushing the campaign.

Photo by Natasha Haw: Steve Crawford, Surfers against Sewage Scarborough rep

“Three years ago, the beaches were closed because there were red flags up and I thought I can’t take people in the water, I’m not going to take customers into the water and put them at risk. So, I decided to close temporarily.

“It’s very, very unlikely I’m going to open again.”

Steve, who has been a rep in Scarborough for SAS for around 14 years added: “We started to push on how important it was for everyone to have clean water.”

[embed]Video by Natasha Haw: Steve Crawford discussing how the pollution in Scarborough affected his life

Plans are underway to expand water quality monitoring in Scarborough through new citizens initiative, alongside efforts to secure long-term funding for further research into coastal pollution.

Cllr Maw said: “I’ve got a pilot that I co-funded this year.

“If this is successful, I’m hoping to go to Yorkshire Water for them to sponsor a PhD student.”

Infographic by Natasha Haw: Statistics from Surfers against Sewage

There is also a push to apply greater pressure on water companies to deliver planned investment in infrastructure improvements and funding to be directed towards tackling sewage discharges and improving bathing water quality.

Steve added: “Don’t be scared of the sea, be scared of what goes in it.”

To support ongoing efforts to improve bathing water contact Yorkshire Water or engage with North Yorkshire Council.

Yorkshire Water has been contacted for comment.

North Yorkshire Council has been contacted for comment.