Overflow locations

The map below shows the locations of the storm overflows that have the potential to impact water quality at this bathing water.

The map shows whether or not a storm overflow is currently active, the time and duration of the last spill at that location, and our investment commitments that are specific to that overflow.

Water quality sample results

The graphs below show the significant reduction in harmful bacteria in the Environment Agency’s (EA) water samples since the 1990s. E. coli and  Intestinal Enterococci exist in all open water - they are found in human and animal poo, and get into the water via sewage spills, road drainage, agricultural livestock, or wildlife and birds. The EA uses the levels of these bacteria to decide whether to award this beach bathing water status.

2025-2030 investment programme

To help reduce the risk of environmental impact from our sewerage network, and to contribute towards improving bathing water quality at Plymouth Hoe, we have earmarked circa £20,000,000 of investment up to March 2025^*.

We are working with the Environment Agency to agree the work that will be delivered to the Plymouth Central sewage treatment works storm overflow. The overflow already has an ultraviolet treatment process which kills bacteria and viruses. 

Further work we expect to undertake includes:

• reducing the amount of saltwater coming into our network through work on the sewer – which will be substantively complete by 2025
• separating surface water from our sewerage network – working with the Environment Agency and Plymouth City Council
• making improvements to the way in which the existing storm water storage works within the area
• increasing the amount of wastewater that can be treated at Plymouth Central sewage treatment works – with delivery targeted by 2030.

Reducing the volume going through our network by reducing rainfall, saltwater and groundwater in the network, will reduce storm overflow discharges at other overflow sites. As with most areas, we will do hydraulic modelling, to understand the benefits and impact of the work, and will continue to look at this as work progresses.

In addition to the works summarised above, we will improve the Plymouth Central sewage treatment works overflow. We are:

• working alongside Plymouth City Council to redirect surface water from the sewerage network in two areas upstream of the Trefusis Park storm overflow
• working to enhance the treatment processes at Radford sewage treatment works to provide more resilience
• collaborating with Plymouth City Council with their 'Better Places' project in the city centre which will remove large amounts of rainwater currently draining to the sewerage system
• looking to reduce groundwater entering the sewerage network upstream of Glenholt pumping station by 2025.

The 2025-2030 investment programme is currently being scoped out. If you’re a community group or part of a local network and would like to have your say see ‘Your Beach, Your Say, Our Investment’.

^*Amounts earmarked for investment may change dependent on the final design of the optimal solution and costings provided by our supply chain.

4 year overflow spill information

The data shown in the table below is the reported annual total spill number for each overflow which has been identified by the EA for this bathing water.

The assignment of an overflow to the bathing water does not always mean an impact will occur, it can be dependent on a number of factors such as tidal state and weather conditions. Sometimes it has been allocated just for investigation purposes and has no impact at all.

All data collected goes through vigorous quality assurance processes before being included in the counts. Sometimes debris can trigger false spills to be recorded, resulting in potentially higher than actual spill numbers.

Number of spills

The beach profiles were created in line with information provided by our partners, Environment Agency, RNLI, Keep Britain Tidy, MCS - Beach Guide and British Beaches.