THESE are the areas where raw sewage has been emptied into the sea around the North East - including County Durham and Teesside.

This weekend's torrential rain and flooding has caused emergency sewer overflows to be used, resulting in sewage being pumped into the sea at a number locations.

It comes as parts of the region saw a deluge of rain at the weekend, with Sunday seeing particularly bad conditions lasting several hours.

Read more: Parts of UK hit with almost a month’s worth of rain in 48 hours

A map, which is based on live data from the Environment Agency and published by Surfers Against Sewage, shows where an alert has been issued.

The Northern Echo:

The map shows parts of Redcar and Cleveland affected

In the North East, eleven beaches across the region have seen "pollution alerts" recorded meaning sewage has been discharged from an overflow in the last 48 hours.

Areas in Northumberland including Amble and Blyth are among those where residents have been warned of a potential pollution risk.

Meanwhile, one area in County Durham and several on Teesside, namely Redcar & Cleveland, have been affected by such alerts.

Surfers Against Sewage says the map tracks real-time combined sewage overflows (CSOs) and pollution risk forecasts (PRFs) to bring the latest information.

What is a sewage overflow and is it necessary

According to the Environment Agency, the UK has a network of "combined sewer overflows," designed to reduce the risk of sewage backing up during heavy rainfall.

It states that such overflows, often found at beaches, are needed to prevent the "inundation" of sewage works and the potential to flood communities.

It said that as a result, they continue to be a "necessary" part of the existing sewerage system, "preventing" sewage from flooding homes and businesses.

However, Surfers Against Sewage has said it has made the ending of sewage discharge into UK bathing waters by 2030 its ambition.

As a result, it has said alternatives such as "nature based" solutions and Government intervention could be used to help achieve their ultimate goal.

Here's what it says about the beaches affected in the region...

NORTH TYNESIDE AND NORTHUMBERLAND

The Northern Echo:

- Blyth South Beach

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

Blyth South Beach is a gently sloping sandy resort beach at the southern end of the Northumberland coast. There are two sewer overflows at the northern end of the bay.

- Druridge Bay South

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

Located at the southern end of a 9km stretch of a rural sandy beach, Druridge Bay South is backed by dunes and slopes gently to the waters edge.

It is bordered by a rocky outcrop and encompasses a noted although unofficial nudist beach.

A number of sewer overflows are located in the surrounding area that may affect bathing water quality although none discharge directly onto the beach.

- Druridge Bay North

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

Sitting at the northern end of a long sandy bay, Druridge Bay North is a gently sloping, remote beach backed by sand dunes with large areas of sand exposed as the tide ebbs.

A number of sewer overflows are located in the surrounding area that may affect bathing water quality here although none discharge directly onto the beach.

- Amble Links

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

Located south of Amble Harbour, Amble Links is a 1km stretch of rocks, sand and shingle sloping gradually into the sea.

The beach is backed by cliffs and has views across the water to Coquet Island, an RSPB reserve famous for its puffin colony.

There are no sewer overflows directly at this beach but the River Coquet meets the sea just north of the beach and there are sewer overflows that discharge into it.

- Warkworth

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

Warkworth is a large, sandy, gently sloping, remote beach backed by an extensive sand dune system.

The mouth of the River Coquet and seaside town of Amble lie just to the south of the beach while the historic town of Warkworth with its medieval castle, hermitage and church is also nearby.

There are no sewer overflows discharging directly at Warkworth but there are in the immediate area surrounding the beach which may affect water quality especially after heavy rainfall.

COUNTY DURHAM

The Northern Echo:

- Seaham Hall Beach

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

Seaham Hall Beach is located north of Seaham Beach and is at the centre of a two kilometres long bay accessible mainly via stairs.

Above the beach is Seaham Hall where Lord Byron married heiress Anne Milebanke in 1815. There are a number of sewage overflows which discharge into local streams, affecting water quality especially after heavy rainfall.

TEESSIDE

The Northern Echo:

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

Seaton Carew is a small resort on Tees Bay to the south of Hartlepool. Seaton Carew North is the northern end of an extensive sandy beach fronting the town.

There is a sewer overflow directly on the beach at Seaton Carew North. Stream and river sewer overflow discharges may also have an affect on bathing water quality here, especially after heavy rainfall.

- Redcar Granville

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

A stretch of sandy beach with wooden groynes and backed by Zetland park, situated to the south of Redcar town.

There are a number of sewer overflows close to this bathing water which can affect water quality especially after heavy rainfall.

- Redcar Stray

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

A gently sloping sandy beach with a rocky foreshore, the southern most of the Redcar beaches.

There are a number of sewer overflows close to this bathing water which can affect water quality especially after heavy rainfall.

- Marske Sands

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

A sandy stretch of beach set between the seaside resorts of Saltburn and Redcar on the north east coast.

Marske-By-The-Sea also has historical significance for the part it played in a number of battles over the centuries.

A number of sewer overflows discharge into the sea here with two discharging behind the beach and one directly onto the beach.

- Saltburn

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

Saltburn beach is a gently sloping sand and shingle resort beach backed by cliffs. Access to the beach from the higher parts of the town can be gained via an hydraulic cliff lift.

There are a number of sewer overflows close to Saltburn which can affect water quality especially after heavy rainfall

To view the warnings for yourself or to check if your local beach is affected - click here

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