This in from the council, in their own words. Ed
The survey reports on the standard of bathing water at UK beaches, with each beach given one of four ratings for water quality. The quality of bathing water is measured against standards set by the European Bathing Water Directive.
Recommended = Excellent
The MCS top rating is ‘recommended’ where water quality is described as excellent, followed by ‘guideline’ then ‘mandatory,’ which means the water meets the minimum quality required, with the lowest rating being ‘fail’ with water quality not meeting minimum standards.
On the Isle of Wight, 14 beaches, 11 of which are maintained by the council, were rated, with 12 achieving the top ‘recommended’ rating.
Moving on up
Gurnard and St Helens improved their ratings from ‘guideline’, while Ryde beach was rated as ‘mandatory’ last year.
All three are now rated as ‘recommended’.
Shanklin received a ‘guideline’ rating, which is up from ‘mandatory’ in 2013, with Bembridge given a ‘mandatory’ rating, one below what it achieved last year.
No beaches were given a fail.
Shirley Smart, the Isle of Wight Council Executive member responsible for tourism said:
“The Isle of Wight is well known for its fantastic beaches and it is very pleasing that 12 beaches have been given the top rating by the Marine Conservation Society, 11 of which are maintained by the council.
“This news is very timely ahead of the main tourism season and is a welcome boost.”
Blue Flag and Seaside Awards
Under the separate but prestigious Blue Flag and Seaside Awards scheme, the Isle of Wight currently has the highest amount of award winning beaches in the country.
It has four Blue Flag beaches and 13 Seaside Awards, giving a total of 17 awards.
The Ratings
The beaches and their ratings, according to the MCS, are below. Those listed as ‘not maintained by council’ are owned/maintained by other organisations.
Totland Bay – Recommended
Colwell Bay – Recommended
Gurnard – Recommended
Cowes – Recommended
Ryde – Recommended
Seagrove – Recommended
St Helens – Recommended
Bembridge (not maintained by council) – Mandatory
Whitecliff Bay (not maintained by council) – Recommended
Yaverland – Recommended
Sandown – Recommended
Shanklin – Guideline
Ventnor – Recommended
Compton Bay (not maintained by council) – Recommended
Update 15.April – Changes provided by IWC on number of beaches getting ‘recommended. status.
Image: © With kind permission of Jengapix
