Families flee Llandudno Beach as sewage spill creates health hazard

What was meant to be a fun day out turned into a smelly nightmare for families enjoying Llandudno Beach on Tuesday. 

A sewer overflow occurred as a result of a sewer blockage. The stench sent beachgoers packing, with some even turning around upon discovering the pool of sewage gathering on the beach.

According to the City, the blockage was caused by the many foreign objects disposed of in the sewer line.  

Raushan Simons said she arrived with her family and immediately got the smell of "poo in the air".

" I still cracked a joke with my family and said the sea must be having stomach cramps, and then we arrived on the beach, and there was really poo flowing onto the sand, " she said.

The family turned around and headed back to their vehicles.

"I was actually still in shock and only started explaining to the children on the way. We were done with the beach, and we headed elsewhere, " Simons said.

Another Llandudno resident, Anna Stacey, said the beach should have been closed, but was shocked to see people still enjoying the sun. "There was a pool starting to gather, and people were dipping their feet in it. This is a major health hazard, and lots of people could get sick, " she said.

Stacey had been walking her dogs at the time, allowing them to run loose, but also called it a day when she discovered the sewage spilling onto the beach.

The City's mayoral committee for water and sanitation, Zahid Badroodien, said the overflow at Llandudno Beach was "not a normal occurrence".

"A blocked sewage pipe in the vicinity caused the sewage to overflow onto the beach sand, " he said.

Within two hours of receiving complaints, the City’s Water and Sanitation teams cleared the blockage and the sewer spill contained on the shore. "In cases where the sewer overflows into swimming water, City Health will erect signage to warn bathers of the polluted water."

The Llandudno Civic Association could not be reached by the time of publication.

The City said that overflows were not a persistent issue at Llandudno Beach, but stressed that various "human behaviours" led to sewer blockages, resulting in overflows.  

Residents are reminded that they can help prevent such sewer blockages and overflows:

•       Only human waste, toilet paper and grey water should be disposed of via sinks and toilets in homes and communities. It is illegal for residents to place any other materials into the sewer system because it causes overflows due to blockages.

•       Don’t flush nappies and sanitary products; they absorb water and expand, which causes blockages.  

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