WEST Somerset MP Rachel Gilmour took part in a test of the quality of sea water off a beach rated as among the most polluted in the UK.

The test revealed the water at Dunster Beach was indeed safe to bathe in after it received a damning verdict last year.

Mrs Gilmour carried out the experiment using Bactiquick, an innovative rapid water testing technology developed by British firm Molendotech, which produces ‘real time’ results.

She visited Dunster Beach following analysis from last year showing it averaged one pollution warning every 2.9 days with the Environment Agency advising people not to swim in the sea.

Last year’s results also prompted travel blog site Holiday Park Guru to offer Dunster a ‘Brown Poo Flag’ due to its status as one of the most contaminated in the country.

The results of real time testing of water off Dunster Beach are checked by MP Rachel Gilmour and Molendotech's Simon Jackson (left) and Christian Good. PHOTO: George Ody.
The results of real time testing of water off Dunster Beach are checked by MP Rachel Gilmour and Molendotech's Simon Jackson (left) and Christian Good. (PHOTO: George Ody.)

Mrs Gilmour said the purpose of the water test was to demonstrate an urgent need for real time, frequent testing to better safeguard public health and support local economies.

Bactiquick technology delivers results in just 15 minutes, providing people with real time data to make informed decisions about water safety and helping to keep beach classifications as up to date as possible.

Mrs Gilmour said: “Seeing this first-hand has really highlighted the need for a better approach to water quality monitoring.

“People deserve to know right away whether the water is safe.

“It should not take days to get answers when we have the tools to test on the spot.

“What we have done today proves that rapid, in-field testing is not just practical, it is vital to tackle the challenge of pollution in our waterways, and of providing safe bathing water.

“This test is simple, and can be done in the community, which means anybody can find out the water quality on their beach in a quarter-of-an-hour, and the cost is not prohibitive, either.

West Somerset MP Rachel Gilmour displays a water test result on Dunster Beach which took just 15 minutes. PHOTO: George Ody.
West Somerset MP Rachel Gilmour displays a water test result on Dunster Beach which took just 15 minutes. (PHOTO: George Ody.)

“It is time for the Government to step in and require water companies to carry out more frequent, real time tests.

“It is a straightforward way to protect public health and support seaside economies that rely on safe, open beaches.

“Every coastal community should have access to one of these devices.

“If the water companies will not clean up their act, we will make sure people know where it is safe to swim at the beach.”

Mrs Gilmour pledged to advocate in Parliament for more community-focused, rigorous, and real time water testing regulations.

She said: “As water quality climbs the political agenda, visits like this represent an important step toward building the case for stronger, smarter testing, protecting both people and places like Minehead that rely on clean water for their future.”

Current monitoring methods rely on periodic testing and can take up to two days to produce results, meaning bathers may already have been exposed to contamination before they realise the water is polluted.

Molendotech chief scientific officer Simon Jackson said: “Today’s test with Rachel Gilmour highlights the urgency of looking after public health with more frequent testing and wider detection of bacteria.”