Raw sewage discharges at Exmouth beach fell in 2022, new data from the Environment Agency has shown.

Untreated sewage was discharged from a storm overflow off Maer Rocks near the RNLI Lifeboat Station for 634 hours in 2019, 857 hours in 2020, and 1128 hours in 2021. 

The new data has shown a drop to 470 hours in 2022, which is still the equivalent of over 19 days and nights non-stop.

Decrease in sewage spills 'largely down to dry weather'

There has been a 19 per cent reduction in the number of sewage spills nationally, which the Environment Agency says is mostly down to dry weather.

Environment Agency Executive Director John Leyland said:  "The decrease in spills in 2022 is largely down to dry weather, not water company action.  

"We want to see quicker progress from water companies on reducing spills and acting on monitoring data. 

 "We expect them to be fully across the detail of their networks and to maintain and invest in them to the high standard that the public expect and the regulator demands."

'We are serious about reducing the use of storm overflows' - South West Water

South West Water's Chief Operating Officer John Halsall said: "We are reducing the use of storm overflows and our plan is working but there is more to do.

"We want everyone to feel confident about the water quality at their favourite beaches and to know that we are serious about reducing the use of storm overflows.

"The beaches in the South West belong to those who live in the region and are loved by those who visit. We need to stop the overuse of storm overflows. 

"Sharing better data with the public is the right thing to do and that's why we've installed 100 per cent monitoring on our storm overflows, ahead of target."

Most sewers in the UK are 'combined', meaning they take rainwater and sewage.

Storm overflows are designed to prevent flooding on land during heavy rain by discharging into rivers and the sea.

SEE ALSO: Exclusive: New data reveals when raw sewage discharges happen at Exmouth beach