The water quality of three north Norfolk beaches has been downgraded, meaning they will lose their ‘Blue Flag’ status.
North Norfolk District Council says the water quality rating of East Runton, Mundesley and Sea Palling beaches has dropped from ‘excellent’ to ‘good’.
Councillor Virginia Gay, NNDC’s portfolio holder for leisure, wellbeing and culture, said the disappointing news was reported to the council last week.
Ms Gay said: “It is disappointing but it’s something that we don’t have control over.”
She said the council was seeking answers from the Environment Agency as to why the beaches’ status had been downgraded.
But when asked by this newspaper, a spokesperson for the Environment Agency itself was unable to shed light on why they had been downgraded.
The spokesperson said: “We are currently investigating with partners why the bathing water classification has changed from excellent to good at Mundesley, Sea Palling and East Runton.
“A change in classification doesn’t always mean there has been a significant change in the water quality.”
The council still hopes to renew its Blue Flag status for the beaches at Cromer, Sheringham and West Runton as they still meet the criteria of having ‘excellent’ water quality ratings.
Applications for this close on January 6.
Ms Gay said North Norfolk had held Blue Flag status for its beaches for the past 17 or 18 years. One beach had once lost its Blue Flag, but regained it the following year.
What is Blue Flag status?
Blue Flag status is conferred by Keep Britain Tidy on behalf of the international group, the Foundation for Environmental Education (FEE).
It is an environmental award given to beach operators who make special effort to manage their coastal water environment and beaches.
The status has to be renewed each year, and it is valid for one year during the bathing season, from May to September.
There are four main categories for which it is awarded: Environmental education and information - meaning the beaches have information about the award itself and the water quality there; Water quality - an assurance that no industrial, waste-water or sewage-related discharges affect the beach; Environmental management - proving the beaches are kept clean and there are public toilets available; and Safety and Services - The beaches should be patrolled by lifeguards, drinking water is available and there are accessibility features.
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