A BATHING ban has been lifted after a weekend sewage alert.
A problem at the pumping station at Rhyl harbour on Friday night sent raw sewage into the sea off Rhyl and Prestatyn resulting in an immediate ban
A statement on Monday from Welsh Water said the water was safe for bathing but tests would continue ov
er the next few days to ensure its purity.
Denbighshire is now calling on Welsh Water to ensure that this problem does not happen again and is urging the organisation to make available any details on plans for avoiding incidents as well as details of any plans for improvements to pumping station equipment.
Cabinet Lead Member for Regeneration, Cllr David Thomas, said it was "an extremely disappointing incident at the height of the summer season" and they would be requesting a full report on the incident.
Over the weekend, an unknown amount of sewage was washed into the sea along Rhyl and Prestatyn coastline and notices were put up to warn people from bathing in the contaminated water until further notice.
Local county councillors and Conservative parliamentary candidate, Cllr John Bellis and Cllr Matt Wright, the Vale of Clwyd Conservative parliamentary candidate, have demanded a review of faults at a pumping station.
Mr Wright said: "While I'm sure the authorities will handle the matter in the interests of the public, I do think there needs to be an urgent review of what went wrong at the Welsh Water pumping station.
"The sewage outfall is at the entrane to the harbour and there was a nasty smell there.
"We feel the EA should review the operation of the station to avoid future problems especially as there have been previous problems with flooding. The impact on holidaymakers was slight as people were enjoying the town and beach without needing to swim especially as the day was partly cloudy. However lessons must be learnt for the future and that is why there should be an investigation conducted through the Environment Agency. Questions should also be asked about any impact on the clean beach status along the coast.
Cllr Bellis, who along with Cllr Diana Hannam visited the pumping station, added: "I will be asking that a full and frank review is conducted by the Environment Agency and will also raise the matter at town and county council."
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