There have been two big news stories about European coasts recently. One: people are increasingly embracing the health and wellbeing benefits of our coastal waters. Two: our seas are at risk from sewage and run-off pollution, which enter the water and introduce pathogens (bacteria, viruses, fungi and parasites). These two marine headlines don’t co-exist happily.Pathogens can be found in our coastal waters due to pollution. Contact with contaminated coastal water can cause ear infections, skin rashes, respiratory illness, diarrhea and stomach cramps, as well as more serious infections in some cases. Are real-time water-quality alerts effective at reducing people’s exposure to these waterborne infections?A team of researchers from the Universities of Exeter and Galway are working together to answer this question. Together they will evaluate and enhance the effectiveness of sharing bathing water quality information to water users via Surfers Against Sewage’s free smartphone app, the Safer Seas and Rivers Service.