Port St Mary Bathing Water Profile
Current water quality classification is Good, based on weekly samples taken from 2019 to 2023.
Description
Port St Mary Beach or Chapel Beach, as it is also known, is situated in the south-east of the Island and has a pretty, sandy, sheltered beach. Port St. Mary has a small, but busy harbour with fishing and sailing boats regularly coming and going.
Chapel Beach is a good location for family activities, water sports and dog walking (subject to summer restrictions). During the bathing season there is a swimming raft installed for the public to enjoy.
The main street in Port St Mary is easily accessible from the beach and includes facilities such as cafes, restaurants, public toilets, shops and recycling facilities. There is also access to a first aid kit and defibrillator at the local Town Hall.
For more information see the Visit Isle of Man website.
| Samples taken | Weekly throughout the bathing season |
|---|---|
| 2019 classification | **Good |
| 2020 classification | **Good |
| 2021 classification | **Good |
| 2022 classification | **Good |
| 2023 classification | **Good |
| Local authority | Port St Mary Commissioners |
| Water sampling point | SC 212 681 |
| QR Code |  |
Water Quality Results
See the help page for additional information on interpreting these charts.
Escherichia coli (EC)
2024
2020 to 2023
Intestinal Enterococci (IE)
2024
2020 to 2023
Catchment Description
The catchment surrounding Port St Mary is approximately 0.89 km². There are two streams which continually discharge into Chapel beach but these are not known to impact on bathing water quality. The surrounding catchment is mainly urban so highway or surface water drains may discharge into the bay.
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 01624 685885 or email environmentalprotection@gov.im
Pollution Management
It is the Environmental Protection Unit’s 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
Streams and rivers are typically affected by human sewage, animal slurry and run off from roads.
There are two streams which discharge into the bathing water at Chapel Beach including a water source from Happy Valley’s ‘Lady’s Well’ and a constant spring which continually discharges across the sand into the sea. The discharges are not known to impact on the bathing water quality.
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
The urban area of Port St Mary is served by surface water, foul water and combined sewer networks. These networks are maintained by Manx Utilities with the foul waste being transported to Meary Veg sewage treatment works via the IRIS network.
There are combined sewer overflows from pumping stations at Gansey point and Port St Mary harbour which are not likely to impact on the bathing water quality at Chapel beach.
Working with Local Authorities
Surface water can flow into the sea 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.
