Torrential rain across the country has caused emergency sewer overflows to be used, resulting in sewage being pumped into Cornish seas.

This weekend was particularly bad weather-wise, with Sunday being especially stormy, causing emergency sewer overflows to be used. This means sewage has been pumped into the sea at a number of locations across the county.

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 map shows 16 Cornish locations with sewage alerts including one of Falmouth's four beaches.

Gyllyngvase Beach has a pollution alert stating storm sewage has been discharged from a sewer overflow in this location within the past 48 hours.

The Surfers Against Sewage website says: “Although no sewer overflows discharge directly onto Gyllyngvase bathing water may be affected by a nearby overflow some 400m to the southwest of the beach.

“Other discharges into the Fal River may also have an affect here.”

READ MORE: Sewage dumped in sea at Brighton & Hove coastal village

Why is sewage being dumped in the sea?

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.

Cornwall beaches affected by sewage discharges

Along with Gyllyngvase, there are a further 16 beaches in Cornwall which have been affected by storm sewage in the past 48 hours. These are:

East Looe

No sewer overflows discharge directly onto the beach here, however several discharge into the River Looe Estuary and catchment upstream.

Par Sands

Two sewer overflows discharge at this beach, one discharges 230m upstream in Par River, while the other discharges to the sea at Par Spit south west of the beach.

Swanpool

There is an emergency sewer overflow from the Queen Mary Gardens pumping station that discharges to the sea approximately 420m east of the bathing water.

Polurrian Cove

There is a sewer overflow from the Polbream pumping station and another from the Polurrian Cove public conveniences that affect water quality here.

Perranuthnoe

There are no sewer overflows discharging directly at Perranuthnoe, however there are a number in the nearby Mounts Bay that may affect bathing water quality here.

Long Rock

Within the catchment area of Heliport beach there is a sewer overflow that discharges into the Ponsdale Brook, 130m upstream of the beach, three that discharge into Trevaylor Stream and four more sewer overflows that discharge into the sea east and west of the beach.

Porthgwidden Beach St.Ives

There is a sewer overflow from Porthgwidden pumping station, that discharges to the sea approximately 120m east of the bathing water.

Porthminster Beach St.Ives

There are no streams discharging directly to the beach. Surface water collects on the steep northeast facing slopes and migrates down to the beach.

Carbis Bay

There are no sewer overflows at Carbis Bay but discharges into the Hayle River may affect bathing water quality.

Porthtowan

A number of sewer overflows discharge at various points upstream of Porthtowan into the Porthtowan Stream that flows across the beach before meeting the sea.

Widemouth Sand

A sewer overflow discharges 270m upstream that flows to the sea across Widemouth Bay. Bathing water quality can also be affected by other discharges from the surrounding urban area.

Fistral South

There is an emergency/sewer overflow from the Yellowsands pumping station that discharges to the sea at the southern end of Fistral beach off Pentire Headland.

Mawgan Porth

Two sewer overflows discharge onto the beach at Mawgan Porth; one 150m upstream of the River Menalhyl and another into a tiny stream at the northern end of the beach.

Polzeath

A sewer overflow discharges into the sea at the northern end of the beach while another discharges into the Polzeath Brook some 250m upstream of the beach.

Crackington Haven

The Crackington Stream flows onto the beach. The outfall from the St Gennys STW discharges to the Crackington Stream 2km upstream of Crackington Haven bathing water.

Widemouth Sand

A sewer overflow discharges 270m upstream that flows to the sea across Widemouth Bay. Bathing water quality can also be affected by other discharges from the surrounding urban area.