BATHERS in Burnham can now check the water quality at the beach here thanks to a new live online service.

 

There are fears over the impact on tourism if it is graded as “poor” due to the level of polution and more stringent EU standards.

The information will be updated on the Environment Agency website is to tie in with new EU water regulations that came into force earlier this year.

The moves come after Burnham’s beach was placed on a list of 25 beaches across Britain that are expected to graded as “poor” due to the more stringent EU standards.

The EU Bathing Water Directive includes four classification categories: excellent, good, sufficient and poor.

Samples of seawater will be taken from the beach this September and if the water is rated “poor” then signs will be put up recommending that people do not swim.