Author(s)

C. Nelson and A.T. Williams

Abstract

Considerable controversy exists with respect to water quality at bathing beaches. In the UK, South Wales beaches appear to be at the forefront regarding these views. An exhaustive study investigating water quality and health was carried out at Barry Island, Wales during the summer tourist season. The beach is a very popular holiday resort and attracts some 850,000 during the summer months. It is composed of fine grained sand backed by a sea wall. Water samples were taken at two hourly intervals between 1 1:00 and 15:00 hours over a 6 day period during a hot August period in 1995. Testing was carried out for faecal colifonns and faecal streptococci. Simultaneously, a very detailed questionnaire (n=1276) was distributed to beach users. The questions related to health, food consumed, family history, entry to the water or not, etc. Ten days later a follow up tel

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