Bristol Merlin Close Vortex
Storm overflow operated by Wessex Water. The source names River Trym as the receiving water.
- 26
- Spills in 2025
- 36.9
- Recorded hours
- 100%
- Monitor operation
- 4
- Years listed
The reported spill count was 9 lower than in 2024. This compares event counts, not discharge volume.
Checking the latest monitor report…
How it compares in 2025
Bristol Merlin Close Vortex recorded 26 spills in 2025. That is more than 70% of the 14,239 overflows in England with a reported figure, and ranks 4,061st nationally. Among Wessex Water overflows it ranks 345th of 1,332; the median Wessex Water overflow recorded 11 spills. On the Trym - source to conf R Avon (Brist) waterbody it ranks 13th of 31.
| Group | Rank by spills | Median spills | Median hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| This outlet | – | 26 | 36.9 |
| England | 4,061st of 14,239 | 11 | 22.3 |
| Wessex Water | 345th of 1,332 | 11 | 18.9 |
| Trym - source to conf R Avon (Brist) | 13th of 31 | 19 | 10.5 |
Rank 1 has the most spills. Equal counts share a rank. Only overflows with a reported count are ranked. Counts do not measure volume, so a higher rank does not mean more sewage.
Annual spill history
| Year | Spills | Duration | Monitor operation | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 26 | 36.9 hours | 100% | Official data |
| 2024 | 35 | 47.6 hours | 100% | Official data |
| 2023 | 35 | 50 hours | 100% | Official data |
| 2022 | 21 | 18 hours | 100% | Official data |
A missing figure means the source did not provide a usable value. A zero is shown as zero. Monitor operation below 90% can make comparison less reliable.
Outlet details
- Water company
- Wessex Water
- Outlet type
- Storm overflow on the sewer network
- Permit
- 013101
- Activity reference
- 1-STORM OVERFLOW
- Grid reference
- ST5673677540
- Waterbody ID
- GB109053027530Official waterbody record ↗
- Location source
- Official annual grid reference
- Location precision
- About 1 metres
- Location note
- Unknown
About the name and type
The annual return lists this asset as “SO on sewer network”: storm overflow on the sewer network. The return places this overflow on the sewer network.
The waterbody link opens the Environment Agency record for the exact ID in the return. It is a source lookup; we do not import its classification.
Where it is
The recorded position is about 3.9 km south-west of the Filton reference point in the ONS built-up areas data.
Designated bathing waters within 3 km in a straight line:
Distance does not show that water from this outlet reaches a bathing water. Check the official bathing-water profile for its classification and advice.
Area and water pages
- Bristol area →
- Filton area →
- Kingswood and Fishponds area →
- Stoke Gifford area →
- Hambrook (South Gloucestershire) area →
- Leigh Woods area →
- Whiteshill area →
- Abbots Leigh area →
- Patchway area →
- Long Ashton area →
- Bradley Stoke area →
- Failand area →
- Pill area →
- Cambridge Batch area →
- Easter Compton area →
- Trym - source to conf R Avon (Brist) waterbody →
Check the official record
Public access to this outlet is unknown. Do not enter restricted land or use this page as a route guide.
Open official source ↗Other outlet records nearby
- Bristol Stoke Lane O/S No 122 Westbury On TrymCurrent status unknown
Wessex Water · River Trym via SWS
- Bristol Abbey Road O/S No 123Current status unknown
Wessex Water · River Trym via SWS
- Bristol Canford Road / Canford LaneCurrent status unknown
Wessex Water · River Trym via SWS
- Bristol Newcombe Road O/S No 11Current status unknown
Wessex Water · River Trym via SWS
Questions about Bristol Merlin Close Vortex
- Who operates Bristol Merlin Close Vortex?
- Wessex Water is the operator named in the annual record. The permit reference is 013101.
- Where does Bristol Merlin Close Vortex discharge?
- The source names River Trym as the receiving water. This does not show how far a discharge travelled.
- How many times did Bristol Merlin Close Vortex spill in 2025?
- The 2025 return records 26 counted spill events and 36.9 hours of recorded discharge. Spills are counted with the 12/24-hour method, so this is not a count of every start signal.
- Can I trust the 2025 figures for this outlet?
- The monitor worked for 100% of the reporting period, so the annual figures cover most of the year. They still do not measure discharge volume.
- Is Bristol Merlin Close Vortex discharging right now?
- This record is linked to a company live feed. The panel above shows the latest report we hold, with its date. That report can be old, and the monitor can be offline, so check the date before relying on it. A report that no discharge is taking place is not a water-quality result.
- How accurate is the map marker?
- The marker comes from the grid reference in the official annual return, which is accurate to about 1 metres. It shows the recorded outlet position, not the extent of any discharge.
- What kind of outlet is Bristol Merlin Close Vortex?
- The annual return lists the asset type as “SO on sewer network”, which means storm overflow on the sewer network. The return places this overflow on the sewer network.
- How does Bristol Merlin Close Vortex compare with other overflows?
- Bristol Merlin Close Vortex recorded 26 spills in 2025. That is more than 70% of the 14,239 overflows in England with a reported figure, and ranks 4,061st nationally. Among Wessex Water overflows it ranks 345th of 1,332; the median Wessex Water overflow recorded 11 spills. On the Trym - source to conf R Avon (Brist) waterbody it ranks 13th of 31. Ranks compare counted spill events only. They do not compare volume or harm.
- Does zero spills mean the water was safe?
- No. A zero means the annual return recorded zero counted spill events for this outlet and year. It is not a water-quality test, and pollution can come from other sources.