South Ramsey Bathing Water Profile
Current water quality classification is Good, based on weekly samples taken from 2019 to 2022.
Description
Just one minute away from Ramsey town centre the south beach at Ramsey is bordered on one side by the Victorian Queen's Pier and on the other side by two stone piers. South 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. It has a golden, sandy beach which slopes gently down to the sea. From the beach you can see fishing and cargo vessels as well as yachts, entering and leaving the busy harbour.
South Ramsey beach is regularly used by families and bathers for beach activities such as dog walking, open water swimming and water sports. The beach is also used to launch some leisure craft via the slipway near to the RNLI building.
Nearby to the beach there are lots of cafes, restaurants and shops. There are plenty of free parking spaces within the vicinity of the beach and public toilets located at Market Square.
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 |
| Local authority | Ramsey Town Commissioners |
| Water sampling point | SC 454 945 |
| QR Code |  |
Water Quality Results
See the help page for additional information on interpreting these charts.
Escherichia coli (EC)
2023
2019 to 2022
Intestinal Enterococci (IE)
2023
2019 to 2022
Catchment Description
The catchment surrounding South 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 01624 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
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
The urban area of Ramsey is served by a regional sewage treatment works at Balladoole. Treated sewage effluent discharged at North Ramsey does not affect the bathing water quality at South Ramsey. There are several combined sewer overflows in Ramey 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.
