SWIMMERS and water users are being told to avoid nine beaches in Dorset today due to sewage discharge following Storm Barra.
Due to heavy rainfall and the ongoing storm, sewage overflows have been in use across the county - with pollution alerts issued.
Charity, Surfers Against Sewage, has an interactive map tracking real-time CSOs (combined sewage overflows) and PRFs (pollution risk forecasts).
The map is part of the charity's Safer Seas and Rivers Service, which is also available via a mobile app.
READ MORE: Storm Barra in Dorset - live updates
Warnings are triggered when sewerage has entered the water within the last 48 hours.
Pollution alerts have been triggered at Hengistbury West, Rockley Sands, Chesil Cove, Charmouth West Stream, Charmouth West, Swanage Central, Swanage Ulwell Stream, Avon Beach in Christchurch and Friars Cliff in Christchurch.
A Wessex Water spokesperson said: “Of the 50 coastal locations we monitor in Dorset, nine have had alerts issued for storm overflow operation in the last 24 hours due to heavy rainfall.
“These have operated as designed and under Environment Agency consents to protect properties from flooding, releasing screened and highly diluted sewage well out to sea because it is predominantly rainwater. While this is unlikely to impact bathing waters, we notify of these discharges on a precautionary basis because there is currently little scientific data available.
READ MORE: Dorset weather: Town-by-town forecast as Storm Barra set to hit area
“In an ideal world we wouldn’t have storm overflows, but we need the government to legislate so developers can’t connect surface water to combined sewers and Ofwat to prioritise investment so water companies can get on and help solve the problem.”
The Met Office have issued several weather warnings due to the storm and there is a small chance that injuries and danger to life could occur from large waves and beach material being thrown onto sea fronts, coastal roads and properties.
A flood warning has been issued at Christchurch Harbour and the surrounding area for today and tonight.
This means flooding is expected.
Storm Barra hit the UK at 9am this morning, Tuesday, December 7, and the related weather warnings will remain in place until 6pm on Wednesday.
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