Sewage spill sparks 'don't swim' alert at popular Devon beach as water company faces backlash
18 August 2024, 14:21 | Updated: 18 August 2024, 15:23
South West Water (SWW) have apologised after a sewage leak sparked a ‘don’t swim’ alert at a popular beach in Devon in peak holiday season.
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Members of the public were advised against swimming in the sea in Exmouth after a pipe burst at a nearby pumping station.
The Environment Agency and the local council both also urged people to avoid the water.
Yellow signs had reportedly been put up on Sunday while lifeguards were urging people to stay out of the sea using a loudspeaker.
The issue was first reported on Wednesday while the water company said on Saturday evening it was "working around the clock" to fix the problem at Maer Road pumping station.
The company said the problem was resolved with a temporary fix on Sunday afternoon.
They said in a statement: "Our teams have been working around the clock in Exmouth to repair the burst pipe from Maer Road pumping station at Maer Lane. We are pleased to say that we have now completed the temporary fix, and the pipe is up and running, and we can now begin planning the permanent repair.
"However, tankers will remain on site as a precaution. We would like to thank residents and visitors for their patience, and we are sorry for the disruption caused throughout this event.”
SWW said earlier that tankers were moving sewage away from the site while an overland pipe had been installed as a temporary solution.
However, it admitted "we haven't been able to keep up with the levels of flows in the network and there have been spills from the overflow".
"We are very sorry this has happened and understand that this will cause concern for customers and visitors to the region," the company said on social media.
Local people have criticised the water company and East Devon District Council on social media.
"Somehow, SWW have got to be made to realise that discharging raw sewage into the sea when there has been no rainfall is simply not good enough," said Keith Thompson on Facebook.
"Even if it is legal, they are not looking after a community that relies so heavily on tourism."
Crissy Harris posted: "Raw sewage running down Maer Lane. Dead fish on the tide line, tankers in convoys through the centre of town. When is the EDDC going to step up!!!"
Others expressed concern that the firm prioritises profit over delivering a good service and limiting pollution.
"All they care about is their share price and they have to increase profits year on year," claimed Matt Walmsley on Facebook.
"The only way they would clean up their act is if their share price is impacted."
One woman, who was visiting from London on Sunday, told Sky News: "Look at the beach today, it's ridiculous. The middle of August and there's hardly anyone here.
"I think it's really sad for the tourist trade, for the town, and for the people coming down for holiday.”
