New data from the marine conservation charity Surfers Against Sewage (SAS) reveals that over 700 people have reported falling ill after visiting 406 different UK beach locations this year . These illnesses, which include ear infections and gastroenteritis, have coincided with a series of heatwaves driving citizens toward the coast .
15,362 workdays lost to contaminated UK waters
Since 2019, swimmers in the United Kingdom have lost a total of 15,362 workdays due to illnesses contracted from coastal waters. As reported by Surfers Against Sewage, these health issues have led to numerous hospitalizations and significant time away from employment.
The surge in reported sickness has been particularly acute during periods of extreme heat.. According to the charity, 765 people contacted SAS about their illnesses in 2026, with nearly half of those reports occurring after temperaatures rose on May 1.. This spike in illness follows a trend of Britons flocking to the coast to escape heatwaves, with temperatures expected to reach 36C in the coming week.
Sickness reported at Blue Flag sites like Durley Chine
Even highly regulated Blue Flag beaches, which are required to pass strict cleanliness tests, are seeing reports of illness. For instance, three reports of sickness were linked to Durley Chine beach, a location that earned Blue Flag status in 2026.
Bournemouth has emerged as the most frequently cited location for illness, recording 16 separate reports. Other notable areas include Polzeath in Cornwall—a high-end resort town known for its celebrity residents—and Croyde Bay in north Devon, where 13 people reported feeling unwell. The reports suggest that even premium coastal destinations are not immune to the contamination affecting the nation's shores.
4.7 million hours of sewage dumping by water companies
Water companies in England are facing intense scrutiny following reports of massive sewage discharge. In 2024, these companies recorded 2,487 pollution incidents, which, as the charity reported, resulted in 4.7 million hours spent dumping sewage into UK waters.
Surfers Against Sewage argues that this dumping has been a persistent issue for decades and is directly responsible for the current public health crisis .. Jo Morley, the head of campaigns at SAS, stated that the scale of the problem is likely much larger than the current data suggests, describing the situation as "totally unacceptable" for people using bathing waters that were rated as excellent.
The absence of official Government data on Blue Flag safety
Significant questions remain regarding the reliability of current water quality certifications and the level of government oversight. There is currently no official Government data available to track these specific outbreaks, nor are there clear legal protections for citizens who fall ill while using public waters. Furthermore,there is no clear indication of what specifically is causing sickness at locations that have maintained their Blue Flag status, leaving swimmers to wonder if the current testing standards are sufficient to detect the presence of harmful pathogens.
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