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Yorkshire Water

Bathing water quality

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Home / Policy Source / Bathing water quality / Dye ing to be different

Dye-ing to be differentred dye

As part of our work on the east coast, we have been conducting environmentally friendly dye-tests in a bid to build a greater understanding of how our sewer outfalls can impact on the quality of local bathing waters.

Whilst the large areas of red dye seen in the water may resemble something out of a Jaws movie, the testing is essential part of the scheme as it enables us to monitor how long it takes for discharges to reach the sea and the effect of underwater currents and tides.

The dye itself is completely inert and is not harmful in any way to plants and wildlife. This testing is hugely beneficial as it should give us a clearer picture of how our outfalls operate and the impact they have, helping to inform our planning around future investment. This activity has to be undertaken during the bathing season to ensure that it takes into account weather and environmental conditions that are typical of the season to ensure that we fully understand the impact of our sewer outfalls."

Lee Pitcher, Bathing Water Strategy Manager

Dye-testing was undertaken in Scarborough and Bridlington back in 2008, with similar work recently completed at Filey, Staithes, Runswick Bay, Sandsend, Skipsea, Withernsea, Whitby and Robin Hoods Bay.