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Last broadcast on Tue, 15 Sep 2009, 01:45 on BBC One (Wales only) (see all broadcasts).
Synopsis
Sand, sea and sewage. With the quality of bathing water on the UK's beaches in decline, Panorama investigates the outflow pipes that discharge sewage, tampons and condoms after heavy rain, and commissions its own scientific tests, with some disturbing results.
Declan Lawn reports.
'Barbecue summer' washes up sewage
A wet July and an ageing sewer systems are compromising the quality of some of Britain's beaches, BBC's Panorama reveals.
Map: UK sewer overflow pipes
Panorama maps the locations where combined sewage overflow is known to flow onto the UK's beaches and surrounding areas.
Sewer overflow: the facts
Here we answer some of the key questions about combined sewer overflow pipes and the problems they pose for the UK's coastline.
In Pictures: Burry Inlet's dying cockle fields
BBC's Panorama looks at the dying cockle flats of Wales' Burry Inlet, where the bivalves have been harvested for centuries.
Call for beach sewage change
Environmental campaigners are calling for a change in the way sewage is managed around Britain's coast.
Cockle picker: My dying livelihood
Dating back to Roman times, the cockle picking industry of Burry Inlet is all but dead. The BBC hears from Robert Griffiths on what he believes is the culprit.
European action over sewage pipes
Action is being taken over what is believed to be illegal amounts of sewage being washed into the sea at Torbay.
Sand, sea and sewage in 1957
Ahead of an upcoming Panorama on sewage pollution of UK beaches, we take a look back to December 1957 when the issue was only just becoming a public concern.
One family's 'good beach' legacy
In 1957, the death of their daughter from water-borne polio led one family to fight for cleaner beaches across Britain.
What we don't like to see beside the seaside
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Panorama 2000 to present
If you'd like to know more about Panorama programmes dating back to 2000, including features, transcripts, video content and more, please click on the link below.
Credits
- Reporter
- Declan Lawn
- Presenter
- Jeremy Vine
- Producer
- Andy Bell
Broadcasts
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Mon 7 Sep 200920:30
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Thu 10 Sep 200904:30
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Fri 11 Sep 200901:15
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Sun 13 Sep 200920:30
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Tue 15 Sep 200901:45
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