SAS Inform Water Users, It's Safe to Go Back In, For Now.

Surfers Against Sewage (SAS) campaigners are today relieved to announce
that the Ultra Violet (UV) treatment that renders sewage effluent clean
and safe, has finally be turned back on by AnglianWater at the popular beaches of Cleethorpes and Mablethorpe.

Unfortunately for surfers this is just as the best surf season finishes.

Anglian Water turns off their UV treatment outside the bathing season (1st
of October until the 15th of May). Unfortunately for surfers this is the
best season for surf. Turning off the UV results in a dramatic increase in
the potentially harmful pathogens released to the sea. Pathogens that can
result in Hepatitis A, Ecoli 0157H, Gastro Enteritis and much, much more.

SAS are concerned not just about the impacts on the marine environment but also about the potential health impacts on the local water sports community that use these beaches all year round. Research has shown that surfers are 3 times more likely to contract Hepatitis A than bathers as we immerse and ingest more than the average bather. This research is been backed up with anecdotal evidence from the local water sports community.

Turning off the UV is a significant step backwards in protecting our marine
environment from pollution and SAS believe there are other energy saving
steps the company should be making first and foremost.

The water company could also be doing more to create its own renewable
energy from the sewage treatment process. For example, Severn Trent
Water will soon be producing approximately 50% of their sewage works
energy requirements by using gas produced from the sewage treatment
digestion process.

SAS recently fought a successful campaign against turning off UV sewage
treatment at popular beaches in North East in 2008. The Environment
Agency determined that before any water company reduces their levels of
sewage treatment by turning off the UV treatment, they must first prove
the absence of water users and prove it doesn't impact on water
quality. SAS believe this sets a strong precedent and one that should
be followed throughout England and Wales.

SAS are calling on the Environment Agency to ensure that Anglian Water
fully treat their sewage and properly protect water users all year
round. And from the 1^st of October onwards we are calling on the
Environment Agency to undertake a comprehensive study into the presence
of water users at Mablethorpe and Cleethorpes.

*Matt Strathern at Extreme Horizon Surf Shop says: "There's a strong
and increasing water sports community that want to use the sea all year
round. I'm hearing from many locals who are complaining about ear, nose
and throat infections and because of the reduced treatment people are
less keen to go in knowing what could be out there."

Surfers Against Sewage Campaign Director says: "Surfers and
waveriders in Mablethorpe and Cleethorpes deserve the same levels of
protection offered elsewhere around the country. Because surfers are
immersing and ingesting in the water, especially in winter, we are more
at risk from harmful pathogens like hepatitis A and Ecoli and need year
round protection."

Cleethorpes also has 3 combined sewer overflows that discharge raw
sewage into the sea during periods of heavy rain.

The health risks associated with bathing in sewage-polluted waters include:

Acute diarrhoea

Ecoli 0157 H

Paralysis/Meningitis, fever

Mild or influenzal typhodial illness

Respiratory disease

Enteritis/Gastro-enteritis

Rashes

Typhoid fever Hepatitis A Semolina
infection

(May 2010)

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