Concerns over a sewage leak at a UK beach were dispelled when the water turned brown due to algae, according to Natural Resources Wales (NRW). The discolouration at Porthdinllaen beach in Gwynedd was investigated by NRW after swimmers raised alarms during the Bank Holiday weekend.

Arfon Hughes, NRW’s environment team leader, explained that the brown coloration was caused by a non-toxic algae known as Phaeocystis, a common type found in coastal waters. This algae can create harmless brown scum, influenced by sunlight and warmer temperatures.

North Wales Live highlighted Porthdinllaen’s sandy bay behind a headland, featuring the iconic Ty Coch seaside pub, renowned as one of the top beach bars globally. The beach experienced high visitation over the Bank Holiday weekend, coinciding with temperatures exceeding 34C across the UK.

While the weather was scorching, a shift is expected with thunderstorms forecasted for parts of the Midlands, Home Counties, and northern England, posing risks of flooding, lightning strikes, hail, and strong winds, as warned by the Met Office.