Heading to the beach? Check Rivers and Seas Watch to stay informed of storm overflows
As families and friends from across our region get set for beach trips this summer, don’t forget to check our storm overflow reporting service before you head to the shore.
Rivers and Seas Watch benefits from new updates
As families and friends from across our region get set for beach trips this summer, don’t forget to check our storm overflow reporting service before you head to the shore.
Results of a new survey show that 80 per cent of customers in our region visited at least one beach, lake or river in Kent, Sussex, Hampshire or the Isle of Wight over the last 12 months – and we expect that trend to continue as temperatures rise again this June.
But while grabbing towels, sun cream, beach balls and swimsuits may be a no-brainer – day-trippers should also include a visit to Rivers and Seas Watch as part of their preparations, before setting off.
Rivers and Seas Watch – which received an upgrade this spring – was developed alongside a community of industry professionals and the public to create the most all-encompassing storm overflow monitoring service available. The changes we’ve made were informed by users and recommendations provided by experts through our independent review.
What's new?
The new and improved online service provides details of all storm overflow releases in near real-time, along with a precise visual display of any possible impact on bathing waters thanks to new and improved tidal modelling. This impact modelling was co-created with experts to ensure a scientific and accurate approach.
That means beachgoers can quickly check their coastal destination and find out if there is any storm overflow impact – putting their minds at rest and enabling them to make an informed choice about whether to bathe or not.
Make it part of your beach day prep
It’s great to see more and more people using Rivers and Seas Watch, as transparency about storm overflows is key while we work to reduce their use, but we want more people to make it part of their routine – especially during the summer bathing season.
Rivers and Seas Watch can be accessed on our website, along with tutorial guides and further information on how the service works. If you're interested in a particular bathing spot, you can sign-up to email updates and will be notified of any storm overflow releases.
What's next?
We're always looking for opportunities to improve Rivers and Seas Watch, and that starts as always with our users. If you want your feedback to be part of future improvements, you can join our user panel by emailing the Rivers and Seas Watch team.