Lyme Regis harbour dredging tests show ‘no risk to human or marine life’

TESTING carried out on Lyme Regis beach during the annual harbour dredging work has shown that sediment deposited on the sand poses no risk to human or marine life.

Tests were carried out during this year’s dredging work March, after increasing concerns in recent years that the black-looking water and sediment from the harbour deposited on the beach and into the bay could be affecting the health of swimmers and the bathing water quality.

Five sediment samples were taken across the deposited sediment to give an accurate representation of the whole area. The samples were tested for selected substances in a laboratory.

The substances that were tested for are often linked with dredging operations of this kind. They were categorised as:

• Metals
• Organotins
• Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH)
• Pesticides

The tests showed that all the substances tested for were well below the threshold level. This level is classified as the range where adverse reactions rarely occur.

This shows that there is no risk to human health from the sediment taken from the harbours navigational channels to keep these routes operational.

Cllr Ray Bryan, portfolio holder for Highways, Travel and Environment, said:“One of the most difficult roles that the council has is balancing the various and often opposing actions needed for Dorset to remain an economically viable county.

“It is good news that the analysis shows that there are no detrimental effects of the dredging on the quality of the beach material.”

Cllr Mark Roberts, chairman of the Harbours Advisory Committee, added: “This is great news for Lyme Regis, especially on the run up to summer. The dredging allows boats to fully utilise the harbour facilities while the sea and beach remain safe for our residents and visitors to enjoy.”

Dorset Council has said that the dark colour of the sediment was due to the lack of exposure to oxygen in the seabed sediment. Once exposed to the air, it returns to its normal colour.

Dredging also causes the colour of the sea to change due to the disruption of the seabed with sand particles suspended in the water. These particles can irritate swimmers’ skin, so swimmers were advised to avoid the area while the dredging was taking place.

Cllr Belinda Bawden, Dorset Council’s ward member for Lyme Regis and Charmouth, said:“I’m particularly grateful the sediment testing was introduced as many people had expressed concerns about deposits on the beach and the quality of the sea water for swimmers during the dredging.

“The results showing minimal quantities of pollutants and hydrocarbons, all in the lowest level of risk will greatly reassure our residents, businesses and visitors.”

The news has also been welcomed by the River Lim Action group which has been working to reduce pollution in the river and bathing waters.

Liz Davis of the River Lim Action group said: “This is good news for Lyme Regis and reassuring for swimmers and beach and sea users. It also complements our own test results, which showed the dredging didn’t cause high levels of E.Coli.

“We can now focus on the main problem, which is sewage pollution from South West Water’s permitted discharge pipes and from misconnections and leaks into the River Lim.

“This has reached consistently high levels and should be top of the priority list for South West Water’s investment programme. We look forward to seeing the whole system improved.”