An Isle of Wight town has missed out on securing an internationally prestigious Blue Flag award for the fourth year in a row after a rise in E. Coli water quality issues were raised.

It comes as the water in the sea on Sandown beach drops down in quality rating from the Environment Agency — from 'excellent' to 'good' — under the Bathing Water Classifications.

The government body took 20 water samples from Sandown beach in the 2023 bathing season and its readings have shown an increase in E. Coli compared to 2022.

Isle of Wight County Press: Charts showing the water samples taken from Sandown beach in 2023 in comparison to 2022.Charts showing the water samples taken from Sandown beach in 2023 in comparison to 2022. (Image: Environment Agency)

Sandown Mayor, Alex Lightfoot, confirmed the council had been advised it would not secure the Blue Flag award this year so did not submit an application.

Speaking at a meeting of Sandown Town Council earlier this week, Cllr Lightfoot said it was out of their control but it does not mean the water quality now is bad.

According to Swimfo, the Environment Agency's guide to bathing water, Sandown beach had been excellent in 2022, 2021 and 2019, with a year missed due to the Covid pandemic.

The government body collects the water samples at different times during the designated bathing season — from May to September — with strict conditions to adhere to including being taken from 30cm below the water surface and no more than 31 days between two samples.

The Environment Agency says on Swimfo the bathing water at Sandown Beach could be affected by discharges from nearby storm overflows when heavy rainfall overwhelms the sewerage system but the outfalls are designed to ensure bathing water compliance is not affected.

Beaches at Whitecliff Bay and Yaverland have, however, retained their 'excellent' bathing water status.

Sandown would still qualify for other criteria needed to meet the Blue Flag status, like public toilet provision and lifeguard supervision but would fail overall, it was told.

Despite not getting the award, Cllr Lightfoot pledged to keep providing those services and said the town would apply again for the award next year if the water quality had improved.

Instead, Sandown Town Council has said it will apply for the Seaside Award, which the town has previously been awarded.

The town council has also approved mechanical raking for the sand on the beach south of Sandown Pier.