Change maker or information provider?: Case Study on Surfer Against Sewage's SSRS app’s impact on UK ocean bathers

Rahmin  Bender-Salazar; Sinead Duane; William H. Gaze; Matt Lloyd Jones; Emma Bland; Anne FC Leonard; Timothy Taylor

Change maker or information provider?: Case Study on Surfer Against Sewage's SSRS app’s impact on UK ocean bathers

Rahmin Bender-Salazar
, Sinead Duane
, William H. Gaze
, Matt Lloyd Jones
, Emma Bland
, Anne FC Leonard
, Timothy Taylor

Marketing

University of Exeter Medical School
University of Exeter
Xi'an Jiaotong-Liverpool University

Research output: Contribution to conference (Published) › Paper › peer-review

Abstract

Swimming in the UK's ocean waters has gained prominence due to climate change and COVID-19 restrictions. This increased attention has raised concerns about bathing water quality, sewage, and runoff. While good quality bathing water offers physical, mental, and economic benefits, poor quality water poses health risks. In 2023, the UK Environment Agency reported an increase in sewage spills yearly, and public awareness in the UK has grown. The Safer Seas and Rivers Service (SSRS) app, developed by Surfers Against Sewage (SAS), provides real-time water quality information and pollution alerts. This case study examines the app's impact on users' decision-making and behaviour regarding ocean water use. Preliminary findings suggest the app may strategically inform and empower users, aligning with the organization's mission to protect the ocean and promote safe bathing practices.

Original language	English (Ireland)
Publication status	Published - 1 Sept 2025
Event	British Academy of Management 2025 Conference: On the Border: Management Challenges, Business Opportunities and Disrupted Institutional Contexts - University of Kent, Canterbury, United Kingdom Duration: 1 Sept 2025 → 5 Sept 2025 https://www.bam.ac.uk/events-landing/past-conferences/2025-conference.html

Conference

Conference	British Academy of Management 2025 Conference
Abbreviated title	BAM 2025 Conference
Country/Territory	United Kingdom
City	Canterbury
Period	1/09/25 → 5/09/25
Internet address	https://www.bam.ac.uk/events-landing/past-conferences/2025-conference.html

UN SDGs

This output contributes to the following UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

SDG 3 Good Health and Well-being
SDG 6 Clean Water and Sanitation
SDG 13 Climate Action

Cite this

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title = "Change maker or information provider?: Case Study on Surfer Against Sewage's SSRS app{\textquoteright}s impact on UK ocean bathers",

abstract = "Swimming in the UK's ocean waters has gained prominence due to climate change and COVID-19 restrictions. This increased attention has raised concerns about bathing water quality, sewage, and runoff. While good quality bathing water offers physical, mental, and economic benefits, poor quality water poses health risks. In 2023, the UK Environment Agency reported an increase in sewage spills yearly, and public awareness in the UK has grown. The Safer Seas and Rivers Service (SSRS) app, developed by Surfers Against Sewage (SAS), provides real-time water quality information and pollution alerts. This case study examines the app's impact on users' decision-making and behaviour regarding ocean water use. Preliminary findings suggest the app may strategically inform and empower users, aligning with the organization's mission to protect the ocean and promote safe bathing practices.",

author = "Rahmin Bender-Salazar and Sinead Duane and Gaze, \{William H.\} and Jones, \{Matt Lloyd\} and Emma Bland and Leonard, \{Anne FC\} and Timothy Taylor",

year = "2025",

month = sep,

day = "1",

language = "English (Ireland)",

note = "British Academy of Management 2025 Conference : On the Border: Management Challenges, Business Opportunities and Disrupted Institutional Contexts, BAM 2025 Conference ; Conference date: 01-09-2025 Through 05-09-2025",

url = "https://www.bam.ac.uk/events-landing/past-conferences/2025-conference.html",

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TY - CONF

T1 - Change maker or information provider?: Case Study on Surfer Against Sewage's SSRS app’s impact on UK ocean bathers

AU - Bender-Salazar, Rahmin

AU - Duane, Sinead

AU - Gaze, William H.

AU - Jones, Matt Lloyd

AU - Bland, Emma

AU - Leonard, Anne FC

AU - Taylor, Timothy

PY - 2025/9/1

Y1 - 2025/9/1

N2 - Swimming in the UK's ocean waters has gained prominence due to climate change and COVID-19 restrictions. This increased attention has raised concerns about bathing water quality, sewage, and runoff. While good quality bathing water offers physical, mental, and economic benefits, poor quality water poses health risks. In 2023, the UK Environment Agency reported an increase in sewage spills yearly, and public awareness in the UK has grown. The Safer Seas and Rivers Service (SSRS) app, developed by Surfers Against Sewage (SAS), provides real-time water quality information and pollution alerts. This case study examines the app's impact on users' decision-making and behaviour regarding ocean water use. Preliminary findings suggest the app may strategically inform and empower users, aligning with the organization's mission to protect the ocean and promote safe bathing practices.

AB - Swimming in the UK's ocean waters has gained prominence due to climate change and COVID-19 restrictions. This increased attention has raised concerns about bathing water quality, sewage, and runoff. While good quality bathing water offers physical, mental, and economic benefits, poor quality water poses health risks. In 2023, the UK Environment Agency reported an increase in sewage spills yearly, and public awareness in the UK has grown. The Safer Seas and Rivers Service (SSRS) app, developed by Surfers Against Sewage (SAS), provides real-time water quality information and pollution alerts. This case study examines the app's impact on users' decision-making and behaviour regarding ocean water use. Preliminary findings suggest the app may strategically inform and empower users, aligning with the organization's mission to protect the ocean and promote safe bathing practices.

UR - https://www.bam.ac.uk/conference-proceedings.html

M3 - Paper

T2 - British Academy of Management 2025 Conference

Y2 - 1 September 2025 through 5 September 2025

ER -

Change maker or information provider?: Case Study on Surfer Against Sewage's SSRS app’s impact on UK ocean bathers

Abstract

Conference

UN SDGs

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