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North Ramsey Bathing Water Profile

Good bathing water qualityCurrent water quality classification is Excellent, based on weekly samples taken from 2022 to 2023. Due to this location being newly identified the classification is based off of 3 years' worth of data.

Description

North Ramsey bathing water is located at the end of North Shore Road with samples being collected from the slipway which accesses the beach.

North Ramsey is less than a 10 minute walk to Ramsey Town centre where there are cafes, shops and restaurants. There are plenty of free parking spaces within the vicinity of the beach along the promenade and at Mooragh Park. There are also public toilets, café nearby at Mooragh Park and Northern Swimming Pool.

Ramsey is where the Island's largest river, the Sulby, flows into the sea having wound its way from its upper reaches at the base of Snaefell mountain. The upper section of North Ramsey is shingles which slopes down to a golden, sandy section which can be enjoyed at mid to low tide. From the beach you can see fishing and cargo vessels as well as yachts, entering and leaving the busy harbour. 

North Ramsey beach is regularly used by families and bathers for beach activities such as dog walking, open water swimming and water sports.

For more information on North Ramsey beach, visit the Visit Isle of Man website.

Samples takenWeekly throughout the bathing season
2020 classification Sampling started in 2021
2021 classification *Sufficient
2022 classification **Good
2023 classification ***Excellent
Local authority Ramsey Town Commissioners
Water sampling point SC 452 949
QR Code North Ramsey QR Code

Water Quality Sample Results

See the help page for additional information on interpreting these charts.

Escherichia coli (EC)

2023

North Ramsey - Water Quality sample results charts 2023 - Escherichia coli (EC)

2021 to 2022

North Ramsey - Water Quality sample results charts historic 2021-2022 - Escherichia coli (EC)

Intestinal Enterococci (IE)

2023

North Ramsey - Water Quality sample results charts 2023 - Intestinal Enterococci (IE)

2021 to 2022

North Ramsey - Water Quality sample results charts historic 2021-2022 - Intestinal Enterococci (IE)

Catchment Description

North Ramsey - surface water catchment boundary map

The catchment surrounding North Ramsey is approximately 4.6 km2.

The Sulby River flows from the Sulby reservoir down towards Sulby where the predominant land use is agricultural until the river reaches Ramsey and the inter-tidal harbour.

Pollution Risk Forecasts

This bathing water is subject to short term pollution. Short term pollution is caused when heavy rainfall or high tides wash faecal material into the sea from livestock, sewage and urban drainage via rivers and streams. At this site the risk of encountering reduced water quality increases after rainfall and typically returns to normal after 1-3 days.

Investigations Statement

The Environmental Protection Unit is not currently investigating any pollution incidents within this catchment. To report any water pollution; please call +44 1624 685885 or email environmentalprotection@gov.im

Pollution Management

It is the Environmental Protection Units role to drive improvement of water quality at bathing waters that are at risk of failing higher standards. It is natural for water to run off the land to the sea. Water quality at a bathing water is dependent upon the type and area of land (the catchment) draining to the water and the activities undertaken in that catchment.

Stream and Rivers

North Ramsey - streams and rivers map

Streams and rivers are typically affected by human sewage, animal slurry and run off from roads.

The Sulby River which enters the sea via the harbour should not impact on the bathing water quality. During adverse weather, the Sulby River is likely to be impacted by agricultural run off and potentially human sewage from combined sewer overflows, private sewage treatment works or unlicensed septic tanks in the rural areas where Manx Utilities infrastructure is not available.

The Environmental Protection Unit monitor 15 sites 4 times a year for chemical, biological and nutrient status. 11 of the sites are on the Sulby River with 3 sites on the Auldyn Stream and 1 on the Garey Stream.

The annual report on the routine water quality monitoring data is produced by the Environmental Protection unit.

Any reports of pollution will be investigated by officers and water samples collected if necessary.

Working with Manx Utilities

North Ramsey - combined sewer overflows map

The urban area of Ramsey is served by a regional sewage treatment works at Balladoole. Treated sewage effluent discharged at the Vollan does not affect the bathing water quality at North Ramsey. There are several combined sewer overflows in Ramsey which are not likely to impact on bathing water quality.

Working with Local Authorities

Surface water can flow into the Sulby River from outfalls and highway drains. This can affect water quality, particularly after periods of rainfall.

Heavy rain falling on pavements and roads often flows into surface water drains or highway drains, ending up in local rivers and ultimately the sea. The quality of bathing water may be adversely affected because of such events.

Working with the farming community

During and after periods of heavy rainfall, run off from agricultural areas is greatly increased, and the quality of the bathing water may be adversely affected. The Environment Protection Unit are working with farmers to encourage better farming practices and improve water quality in the surrounding areas.

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