Since this article was published, Wessex Water have withdrawn the alerts. Read more on this here.

SWIMMERS and water users are being told to avoid two beaches in Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole today due to sewage discharge. 

Charity, Surfers Against Sewage, have an interactive map tracking real-time CSOs (combined sewage overflows) and PRFs (pollution risk forecasts).

The service alerts water users when sewer overflows discharge untreated human sewage into the sea and when water quality is temporarily reduced due to heavy rainfall and pollution incidents.

The map is part of the charity's Safer Seas and Rivers Service, which is also available via a mobile app.

Warnings are triggered when sewerage has entered the water within the last 48 hours.

Pollution alerts have been triggered at: 

Christchurch Avon Beach

Pollution Alert: Storm sewage has been discharged from a sewer overflow in this location within the past 48 hours.

Bournemouth Echo: Avon Beach, ChristchurchAvon Beach, Christchurch

A popular family resort beach located in Christchurch Bay is around 700m wide and is a gently sloping sandy beach. There are no sewer overflows that discharge directly onto the beach here but there are a number in the catchment area that discharge into the Avon and Stour Rivers that may affect bathing water quality particularly after heavy rainfall.

Friars Cliff, Christchurch

Pollution Alert: Storm sewage has been discharged from a sewer overflow in this location within the past 48 hours.

Situated in Christchurch Bay on the Dorset coast, Friars Cliff is a sandy resort beach, ideal for families. It is backed by a promenade that is lined with beach huts available to hire. There are a number of sewer overflows that discharge into the Stour and Avon rivers to the south of this beach that may affect bathing water quality.