What was reported as a sewage spill into the water at St Ives, prior to the Easter weekend, has been described as algal bloom by the Environment Agency.
A library photo of sewage pollution in water
Whatever it was, the brown sludge in the water was offputting for locals and visitors alike, reported as containing tampons and faecal matter.
“Our officers attended St Ives over the weekend after reports of a suspected sewage spill,” said a spokesperson for the Environment Agency. “We did not identify any signs of sewage-related debris or active sewage discharge.
“This incident is believed to be an algal bloom, which can look and smell like sewage under certain conditions.”
South West Water told St Ives Local: “We took water samples from St Ives Harbour following reports of a potential pollution and the results showed no traces of sewage in the water.
“The pumping station has been working as expected and we have found no issues from our checks on the local network.”
Separately, West Cornwall MP Andrew George has called on ministers to introduce stronger sanctions on water companies which put bonuses and dividends before serving customers or the environment.
This would include taking full responsibility for the costs and consequences of failure to deliver the service they’re paid for, including compensating the NHS for those who need medical attention, sick pay, staff absences, compensation for the self-employed who fall ill, and, in extremis, being charged for corporate manslaughter, if illness causes death.
“When the Conservatives privatised water, they created relatively risk-free monopolies which could predict their end-of-year profits when they set their water bills. They don’t pay for the consequences of their irresponsibility. Well, now I believe the government should make sure they do.”
His comments were made during a Parliamentary debate on the regulation of water companies led by the Liberal Democrats in the Commons today. MPs challenged government ministers to take tougher action against water companies who continue to pump record quantities of sewage into rivers and seas, despite growing public protest and dismay. In 2024, there were 1,646 sewage discharges in the St Ives constituency from 51 storm overflows, for a combined total of 13,835 hours.
“Though many of the regulations introduced by the new government are welcome and help to address the appalling mismanagement of the previous Conservative government, it’s evident there’s still more to do,” said Mr George.
