BRYONY GORDON: My horror Cornwall family trip - and everything you need to know now before your Bank Holiday getaway

A family holiday in Cornwall took an unexpected turn when a mother and her daughter fell ill following a swim in St Mawes harbour, a situation now linked to a recent sewage spill in the area. The incident, reported by dailymail.com, underlines growing concerns regarding water quality at popular coastal destinations in Cornwall, just as the Bank Holiday weekend approaches.

The holidaymakers had spent a sunlit day enjoying the beaches along the Roseland Peninsula, with activities including swimming across the bay in St Mawes harbour. Despite the day's idyllic setting, the water near the harbour appeared murkier than expected, though the visitors initially attributed this to the presence of boats and ferry traffic.

Hours after returning to their accommodation, both mother and daughter experienced severe gastrointestinal symptoms. The onset of sickness prompted further investigation, revealing that a burst sewage pipe in a nearby village car park had released raw sewage into St Mawes harbour for several hours during the night, just days before their swim.

The Environment Agency had placed warnings advising against water contact for 48 hours after the spill, but these notices were removed by the time the family entered the water. South West Water, the regional utility provider responsible for the area, had dispatched cleanup efforts but allowed swimming at personal risk once the signs were taken down.

This episode is not an isolated case. Other parts of Cornwall have suffered recent sewage discharges, including Readymoney Cove in Fowey and a beach overlooking St Michael’s Mount, with pollution alerts issued by environmental authorities. In Falmouth, a separate overflow event occurred in the early hours of a recent Wednesday morning. These repeated incidents have sparked frustration among local residents and visitors alike.

Environmental groups such as Surfers Against Sewage maintain apps to inform the public about water quality, but coverage is incomplete, especially for less frequented beaches like those in St Mawes. Consequently, users may remain unaware of potential risks.

The legal framework prohibits the release of untreated sewage into coastal waters except during exceptional circumstances like heavy rainfall overwhelming sewage systems. However, Cornwall and Devon are currently subject to drought conditions and associated hosepipe bans, casting doubt on the necessity or justification for recent discharges by South West Water.

The ongoing situation raises questions about the management practices of water companies and the adequacy of environmental protections in the region. Political voices have called for stronger regulations to limit exploitative pricing and poor service from water utilities, with public health and environmental integrity at stake.

While the affected family in St Mawes recovered after approximately 24 hours, the incident highlights the vulnerability of popular tourist destinations to pollution. It also emphasizes the need for improved monitoring, transparent communication, and robust infrastructure investment to prevent similar occurrences in future holiday seasons.

As Cornwall continues to attract visitors seeking picturesque coastal experiences, safeguarding water quality remains essential to protect public health and preserve the natural charm vital to the local economy. The recent sewage spill serves as a cautionary example of the consequences when these standards are not upheld.