UK Launches App Warning Swimmers, Divers of a Beach’s Pollution Incidents
An application has been launched in UK which specifically informs avid beach surfers and bathers about real-time warnings regarding their favorite beaches' pollution incidents.
Developed by the charity Surfers Against Sewage (SAS) and funded by the Environment Agency, the app is meant to educate UK users regarding the discharge of a storm or the sewage water surrounding the 250 beaches of Wales and England.
"This truly is an innovative concept, achieved thanks to years of campaigning against secretive combine sewer overflow sewage discharges from water companies," Andy Cummins, SAS campaign director, said.
Available for download for both iPhones and Android phones, the Sewage Alert Service app gets its information from water companies on combined sewer overflows or when untreated sewage and storm water is released into the sea during periods of heavy rain.
The application immediately warns users and beach goers through text messages the minute pollution reaches dangerous levels, the BBC reported. All pertinent information is then posted online.
Aside from showing beach users where they can safely swim, SAS hopes the alert service will also help people avoid illnesses such as stomach bugs, skin, ear, eye and chest infections, or sore throats, and even hepatitis.
Richard Benyon, Environment Minister, said the app would greatly help people make well-informed choices about where to swim.