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Designated Bathing Waters in the Thanet Area

The following bays around the coastline of Thanet have been designated as 'Bathing Waters' and are independently tested weekly from May to September by the Environment Agency:-

 

Thanet beaches

 

1. Minnis Bay
2. West Bay
3. St Mildred's Bay
4. Westbrook Bay
5. Margate Bay
6. Fulsam Rock
7.   Walpole Bay
8.   Botany Bay
9.   Joss Bay
10. Broadstairs, East Cliff
11. Viking Bay
12. Ramsgate Sands
13. Ramsgate, Western Undercliff

 

 

Blue Flag European Blue Flag Award

Quality Coast Award

Quality Coast Award

Quality Coast Awards - 2007

Walpole Bay, Viking Bay Broadstairs and Ramsgate Main Sands received Quality Coast Awards for 2007. The Award rewards high beach management, safety and cleanliness and water that complies with EC bathing water standards (mandatory). 

European Blue Flag Awards - 2008

The prestigious European Blue Flag will be flying at ten of the district's beaches in Thanet this Summer.  It is the latest improvement by Thanet, which has seen its number of Blue Flags steadily increase over recent years.

 

For the first time, Joss Bay in Broadstairs, has achieved the accolade. Other beaches which will be flying the flag this summer are Ramsgate Main Sands and Walpole Bay, with  Botany Bay and Stone Bay, Broadstairs,  Margate Main Sands, Minnis Bay, Birchington, St Mildred's Bay and West Bay in Westgate and Westbrook Bay all retaining their Award for a further year.

 

The European Blue Flag is awarded in 29 countries for resort beaches with high standards of environmental management. Beaches must also meet the guideline standards of bathing water under EC legislation. Blue Flag beach criteria include beach cleanliness, dog control, wheel chair access, provision of facilities and provision of life saving equipment.  For more information please visit The Blue Flag campaign website

Sea Water Quality Testing

Seawater at Thanet's beaches is tested independently for bacteria on a weekly basis by the Environment Agency. Sampling takes place at each of the designated bathing waters for 20 weeks from May to September each year. Water quality results are compared with standards laid down by the European Union (EU).

 

Where water quality consistently fails to meet EU standards, there may be an increased risk of contracting a minor infection.

 

Sea Water Quality Testing - 

 

Weekly 2008 results

Overall annual 1993-2007 results

 

For general information on Thanet's beaches see Tourism website.

 
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