More than 700 people have reported falling ill after visiting UK beaches this year, including several awarded Blue Flag status for excellent water quality, according to new figures from marine conservation charity Surfers Against Sewage (SAS).
Reports surge during heatwave
SAS received 765 sickness reports across 406 locations in 2026 so far, with nearly half (322) coming since May 1 as people flocked to the coast in extreme heat. The majority of reports came from Bournemouth, where 16 people said they fell unwell after visiting the coast.
Croyde Bay in North Devon followed with 13 reports, and Polzeath in North Cornwall – a favourite of former Prime Minister David Cameron – also recorded 13. Cameron bought a £2 million home near Polzeath in 2017, and the beach is known as a surfing spot for royals and celebrities.
Top affected beaches
Rest Bay in Porthcawl, Wales, saw 12 reports, while Exmouth in Devon had 10. Portreath in Cornwall recorded nine, and eight reports each came from Saunton Sands, Swanage Central, and Ogmore by Sea. Woolacombe Village had seven.
Six of the top 10 locations are Blue Flag beaches or have previously won the award. Bournemouth's Durley Chine, which won the prize in 2026, accounted for three of the city's reports. The other three – Portreath, Saunton Sands, and Woolacombe Village – were rated 'excellent' by the Environment Agency in 2025.
Water quality concerns
Ogmore-by-Sea was the outlier, having failed to meet water quality standards in recent years, according to Natural Resources Wales. Possible causes include storm overflows, ageing infrastructure, and pollution from roads and farmland.
SAS says sewage dumping by water companies is 'making us sick'. Jo Morley, Head of Campaigns at SAS, told the Mirror: "Sewage dumping by water companies is making us sick. It has been for decades."
She added: "Thousands of water users are reporting this to us, and this is likely just the tip of the iceberg. From gastroenteritis and ear infections, to weeks off work and hospitalisations. This is a public health crisis."
Official responses
An Environment Agency spokesperson said: "We urge members of the public to follow UKHSA advice on swimming safely and to check Swimfo before visiting any of the country's 464 designated bathing waters." They noted bacteria can come from farm runoff, sewage works, and storm overflows, as well as wildlife.
A Natural Resources Wales spokesperson said: "We want people to enjoy Wales' rivers, lakes and coastlines safely this summer." They advised reporting pollution and taking precautions like avoiding swallowing water.
SAS has received 8,313 sickness reports since 2019, with Exmouth recording the most (203). The charity urges beachgoers to use its Safer Seas and Rivers Service for real-time pollution alerts and campaigns for an end to water privatisation.
