Llandudno, a charming Victorian seaside town known for its North Shore beach, is facing a significant challenge that threatens to tarnish its appeal. Despite attracting around seven million visitors annually with its picturesque 2km pebbly stretch, the beach has been flagged for its poor bathing water quality by Natural Resources Wales (NRW) over the past five years.
The North Shore beach has consistently received low ratings, with only one star (“sufficient”) since 2019, apart from a brief improvement to two stars (“good”) in 2022. In contrast, the West Shore beach has maintained an “excellent” rating, partly due to its active storm sewage overflow system, a feature lacking on the North Shore. Harmful bacteria such as E.coli and Intestinal Enterococci have been detected in the waters, particularly peaking in August when tourist numbers surge.
To address these concerns, a collaborative effort involving NRW, Conwy Council, and Dŵr Cymru Welsh Water is underway. The team is currently conducting surveys in the Craig y Don area to identify potential issues like misconnections in plumbing that could be leading to the contamination of surface drainage with wastewater. These misconnected pipes can result in pollutants like bacteria, chemicals, and wipes entering the sea, causing pollution.
During inspections in Craig y Don, approximately one in six of the 120 properties visited so far were found to have problems ranging from blocked pipes to misconnected kitchen sinks. Residents have been advised to rectify these issues promptly to prevent further contamination of the coastline. Cllr Goronwy Edwards emphasised the importance of ensuring correct plumbing connections to safeguard water quality.
Authorities are employing various methods such as manhole inspections and coloured dyes to verify the proper routing of wastewater. Residents have been urged to check their properties for any misconnections, especially after renovations or alterations to drainage systems. Gareth Williams from Dŵr Cymru highlighted the risk misconnections pose to local waterways and encouraged cooperation to enhance bathing water quality in the Llandudno area.
To support this initiative, residents who suspect misconnections in their properties are encouraged to contact Dŵr Cymru at 0800 0853968 for assistance. By addressing these plumbing issues and ensuring the correct flow of wastewater, the collaborative efforts aim to protect the environment and improve bathing waters for locals and tourists alike in Llandudno.
Overall, the joint operation signifies a proactive approach towards addressing the contamination of Llandudno’s North Shore beach, emphasising the importance of maintaining high water quality standards for the sustainability of the resort’s appeal and the well-being of visitors and the local community.