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The data then gets archived in a related system called the PI archive system, and then processed in the PIAF system that takes the signal data from all the EDM’s and groups it into single ‘events’ to explain what happened in more detail than if we were to look at separate signal data from multiple sensors.  

Lastly, the data from PIAF system is sent to the Aspire system, which is the reporting tool we use to send data to agencies including the environment agency and Beachbuoy.

Beachbuoy receives the data once an hour and uses it to populate the look-up table, which uses reference data to determine whether the release is likely to have impacted a bathing site or not. This decision is then shown on the Beachbuoy interactive map using coloured icons that show the status, alongside the pop-up which shows information relating to the outfall event. 

Where release events go above the threshold, they are all manually reviewed by our Spills Team. Until they have been reviewed they are classified as ‘Under Review’ in Beachbuoy.

When the review has taken place by the Spills team, the event is then determined to be either a genuine or non-genuine release and this is then displayed on Beachbuoy.

Tidal models are used to understand how an outfall release is moved with the tide and wind  and how it then disperses. We use this tidal modelling to determine if a release is likely to have impacted bating waters. For example, if it was a windy day and the tide is very strong and going out, the storm overflow release is likely to have been carried out to sea and dispersed and diluted along the way, so would most likely be ‘non-impacting’.   

The models have been robustly checked against survey data (tidal levels, current speed and direction and dye tracing). This means that we can be confident that the model is performing in the same way as the movement and dispersion of the plume from the storm overflow release would in real-time.

We have gathered comprehensive data about historic releases, their volumes and tidal effects. This data has been modelled by independent specialists Atkins who have calculated which outfalls have the potential to impact upon bathing waters. The modelling has been undertaken for each of the 84 bathing waters in our area. 

To determine which overflows have the potential to impact each bathing water, we include overflows which release within the tidal influence of the bathing water and overflows that discharge into rivers that may influence coastal bathing water quality.

Due to the dynamic nature of tides and the varying volumes of releases, a discharge from an overflow may not impact the associated bathing water. Beachbuoy uses the tidal state and release duration, in conjunction with our coastal modelling, to determine whether any given release may be impacting or not.

The bathing site locations shown on the map are matched to the recognised bathing sites provided by the Environment Agency. We have included as many as we can and will continue to add more. If you have any feedback that can help us improve data accuracy, please let us know.