Swim ban lifted after mystery pollution at beach

There is no longer an "ongoing pollution event" at a popular beach that had seen swimmers told not to go in the sea, according to Natural Resources Wales.

It announced on Tuesday that it had removed the "abnormal situation" regarding the bathing water at Ogmore-by-Sea in Vale of Glamorgan.

Last month, Welsh Water suspected a "small leak" at its nearby Penybont wastewater treatment works but this later turned out to be from a groundwater pipe not belonging to the company.

NRW said it would continue to investigate and monitor the area.

Fiona Hourahine, operations manager for NRW, said investigators had taken water quality samples upstream and downstream of the site since the incident was declared on 21 May.

"We believe there is no longer an ongoing pollution event and we’ve removed the abnormal situation at Ogmore-by-Sea," she said.

"However, we have not been able to find the initial source of the pollution at this time and will continue our investigation."

She said the organisation would also monitor the wider area following the "poor" classification the water was given last year.

An "abnormal situation", as defined by the Bathing Water Regulations, is usually declared when NRW becomes aware of an unusual pollution source that could impact on water quality.

Vale of Glamorgan council has been informed of NRW's findings and will begin removing the warning signs which had been placed on the beach.

The council's director of environment and housing services, Miles Punter, said he was pleased that pollution was no longer affecting water quality at the beach.

However, he added: "It is disappointing though that the source of the problem has not been identified and also extremely regrettable that we had to take additional measures to discourage people from entering the sea."