Dorset beaches have come out on top for having the cleanest sea waters in the summer

Dorset beaches ranked cleanest in UK – Somerset second worst…

Paul JonesMay 2, 20240 Comment0

DORSET’S beaches have been ranked the best in the UK for clean water.

Analysis of Environment Agency summer water quality ratings has put the county’s coastal spots in first place for clean seas.

Neighbouring Somerset, however, is ranked 18th out of 19 for the cleanliness of sea waters in the summer months and to make things worse, two beaches in the county – at Dunster and Weston Super Mare – have been offered ‘Brown Flag Awards’ for being named among the nation’s 13 dirtiest.

The award comes in the form of a flag sporting a brown poo emoji.

Weston super Mare and Dunster beaches have been offered Brown Flag Awards

Joining Dorset at the top end of the table were Devon and Suffolk, with the three having the highest percentage of ‘excellent’ beaches for clean water, according to the analysis by UK travel site, Holiday Park Guru.

The ‘winning’ beaches offered the flags are rated as ‘poor’ by the Environment Agency due to bacteria such as e-coli from sewage and other waste.

Just one in 10 of Somerset’s designated bathing spots is considered ‘excellent’ for the quality of their sea water in summer – at Porlock Weir.

In Dorset, 89% of beaches are rated as ‘excellent’ for summertime water quality.

Keen sea-swimmer, Robbie Lane from Holiday Park Guru, said: “We’re hoping to make a real splash in the papers with the launch of England’s first ever ‘Brown Flag Awards’.

“Commiserations to our 13 winners this year – you really are top of the plops. “We just hope they’ll take up our offer of a free brown flag, although I’m afraid we can’t quite afford to provide a flagpole as well.

“On a more positive note, high praise is warranted for England’s 273 beaches with the top rating for their water quality – including Porlock Weir.”