Bathing closed at Exmouth, Budleigh Salterton after sewage discharges

Update Wednesday 7 September: Bathing has reopened at Exmouth but remains closed at Budleigh Salterton.

An East Devon District Council spokesperson said: "Bathing can now resume at Seaton and Exmouth beach, although it remains closed at Budleigh Salterton beach as a result of an Environment Agency (EA) alert against bathing due to pollution resulting from the recent heavy rain.

"We advise everyone to stay out of the water while the warning is in force." 

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Update Tuesday 6 September: Bathing is closed today at Exmouth and Budleigh Salterton after sewage discharges.

An East Devon District Council spokesperson said: "Bathing has been closed at Seaton, Budleigh Salterton and Exmouth beach as a result of an Environment Agency (EA) alert against bathing due to pollution resulting from the recent heavy rain.

"We advise everyone to stay out of the water while the warning is in force."

Pollution alerts for Exmouth and Budleigh Salterton from charity Surfers Against Sewage read: "Storm sewage has been discharged from a sewer overflow in this location within the past 48 hours and bathing not advised today due to the likelihood of reduced water quality."

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East Devon District Council has closed bathing at Exmouth beach today (Monday 5 September) after a discharge of sewage.

It comes after a separate incident last month when bathers were warned to stay out of the sea at Exmouth.

Sewage is often discharged into the sea after heavy rain from 'storm overflows', pressure-relief valves, to prevent sewers flooding on land. There are several such storm overflows in the local area, including near Maer Rocks off Exmouth beach.

A spokesperson for East Devon District Council said: "Bathing has been closed at Exmouth beach as a result of an Environment Agency (EA) warning against bathing due to pollution resulting from the recent heavy rain.

"We advise everyone to stay out of the water while the warning is in force. 

"We hope bathing will be open again tomorrow."

A pollution alert for Exmouth from charity Surfers Against Sewage reads: "Storm sewage has been discharged from a sewer overflow in this location within the past 48 hours and bathing not advised today due to the likelihood of reduced water quality."

Click here to view Surfers Against Sewage's interactive map, and here to view the Environment Agency's Swimfo tool.