Sewage Discharge to Morecambe Bay

3 November 2011

South Lakeland District Council has been made aware that United Utilities' outfall pipe from Morecambe’s wastewater treatment works at Middleton has become inoperable due to sandbank movement.

As a result an old outfall system, used as a storm overflow, is being used which means that screened, but untreated sewage is being discharged into Morecambe Bay. The outfall is situated about a mile out to sea in the sea channel opposite Regent Road in Morecambe.

The dispersion of the discharge will have a lower impact to the North and North East of the Bay but South Lakeland District Council’s primary concern at this time is to ensure that the health and safety of the general public is protected.

SLDC’s portfolio holder for Environment andSustainability,CouncillorClare Feeney- Johnson, said: “We are working with our neighbouring council’s, the Health Protection Agency and the Environment Agency - who are the regulatory body for wastewater discharges - to closely monitor the situation.” 

The cockle beds on the South Lakeland coastline at Flookburgh, Aldingham and Leven Island are currently closed under Fishery Bylaws.  However, anybody who has gathered any shellfish from these areas or in the Morecambe Bay or Lune Estuary since Sunday 30 October 2011 are advised not to consume them. 

Open shellfish beds in Wyre, Lancaster and Barrow have been closed temporarily until the problem is resolved.

SLDC is not aware of anything to indicate that there are any wider health risks to people using the shore and beaches in Morecambe Bay, although normal hygiene precautions such as hand washing are being advised.