THE DRAINAGE DILEMMA

THE DRAINAGE DILEMMA

Much of the vegetation along the foreshore close to the promenade wall is entirely unconnected with the establishment of ‘natural’ beach grasses. It is there as a consequence of polluted water discharging on to the beach from surface water and through the promenade wall.

Polluted water evidence

Figure 20: This clearly shows the impact of drainage problems to the right of the old toilet block. Thick, marshy growth extends out onto the beach, fed by unidentified nutrients, and from additional seepage through the promenade wall.

Here it is at ground level. This is not Spartina; it is about broken drains. Until that is xed, no amount of spraying, digging or any other treatment will work.

Figure 21: Here is the area to the right of the old toilet block at ground level. This is not Spartina; it is about polluted water. Until that is remedied, no amount of spraying, digging or any other treatment will work; it will keep coming back ad infinitum.

Vegetation growing on the promenade wall; you can clearly see the seepage. A possible public health hazard.

Figure 22: One of many forms of vegetation growing out of the promenade wall; you can clearly see the seepage. A possible public health hazard.

At Kings Gap slipway we can see from above the darker ‘plume’ where sand is wetter and feeding vegetation.

Figure 23: At Kings gap slipway we can see from above the darker ‘plume’ where sand is wetter and feeding vegetation.

From ground level we can see some meadow grass at the back, which has also spread onto the beach. This could also be a consequence of wind blown sand being shovelled back onto the beach from private driveways and gardens.

Figure 24: From ground level we can see some terrestrial grass (sometimes called ‘meadow’ grass) at the back, which has also spread onto the beach. This could also be a consequence of windblown sand being shovelled back onto the beach from private driveways and gardens.

Here we see where someone has aborted an attempt to remove it, but it is growing back within just a few days.

Figure 25: Here we see where someone has aborted an attempt to remove it, but it is growing back within just a few days.

And here is a close up of the meadow grass, with flat, spiky green leaves similar to domestic lawn grass.

Figure 26: And here is a close up of the terrestrial grass with flat, spiky green leaves similar to domestic lawn grass.

Again, it is really important to distinguish between meadow grass, and Common Saltmarsh grass Puccinellia maritima, a native dune pioneer species. Note the long strands which have a circular cross section, unlike meadow grass.

Figure 27: Again, it is really important to distinguish between salt intolerant terrestrial grasses and Common Saltmarsh grass Puccinellia maritima, a native dune pioneer species which is naturally salt tolerant. Note the long strands which have a circular cross section, unlike ‘meadow’ grass.

And moving further along the beach towards Red Rocks we see a lot of examples of drainage problems on the beach and along the sea wall, perhaps most notably this one at the bottom of Beach Road.

Figure 28: And moving further along the beach towards Red Rocks we see a lot of examples of drainage problems on the beach and along the sea wall, perhaps most notably this one at the bottom of Beach Road.

Typical example of anoxic (oxygen starved) water at recently cleared surface water drain: a lot of oil, rubber and plastic will wash on to the beach when these are cleared; note the black, ‘oily’ deposit underneath.

Figure 29: Typical example of anoxic (oxygen starved) water at recently cleared surface water drain: a lot of oil, rubber and plastic will wash on to the beach when these are cleared; note the black, ‘oily’ deposit underneath.

Note the oily rainbow sheen on the surface of this polluted water, bubbling up from underground adjacent to the old toilet block among thick marshy meadow grass, being fed by unidentified nutrients.

Figure 30: Note the oily rainbow sheen on the surface of this polluted water, bubbling up from underground adjacent to the old toilet block among thick marshy grass, being fed by unidentified nutrients.

This may be petrol, oil or other vehicle related pollution from surface water, or perhaps from cracked mis-connected domestic drains, or worse. Tests needs to be conducted and the problems fixed.

Figure 31: This may be petrol, oil or other vehicle related pollution from surface water, or perhaps from mis-connected domestic drains, or worse. Tests needs to be conducted and the problems fixed.