From a correspondent:

As a Budleigh resident I was looking at the Rivers Trust recently updated Sewage Map for 2022 in relation to the River Otter and the beach. I was diverted by the very large pollution indicators for the rest of East Devon.

Sewage Map | The Rivers Trust This makes very interesting and horrific reading.

The brown spots indicate high discharge levels

The first thought that comes to my mind is that until raw sewage is treated, and I mean treated, with no spillages in East Devon’s waterways, development cannot take place sustainably anywhere in the district.

We are aware that Natural England has effectively put a halt to development around the Axe due to high phosphate levels. I cannot believe that the following pollution episodes that I have picked at random around the district do not have similar, if not worse, problems.

Woodbury Waste Water Treatment Works spilled 65 times (every 5 1⁄2 days) for a total of 1077.27 hours, discharging into the Woodbury Brook. This was equivalent to 45 days.

Aylesbeare’s sewer storm overflow spilled 65 times for a total of 561.10 hours, discharging into the Aylesbeare Brook.

I cannot miss out Honiton. The combined 2 waste water treatment plants had 226 occasions of 2646 hours and if I add the nearby village of Gittisham (2021 census population 838)  283 episodes and the colossal 3252 hours. All going to the small River Otter. 

And finally what about Cranbrook? Agenda item – Public speaking – East Devon

“Further SWW data for 2021 indicates that the main sewage treatment works at Countess Wear, which services Cranbrook and surrounding communities, also released storm water on 72 combined occasions over a period of 230hrs +.  An indication of capacity overwhelmed?”

“South West Water are aware of the issues, in particular the pumping station at Countess Weir which cannot expand due to the SSSI and that they have identified a further pumping station would be required to counteract the issues currently being experienced with Teignbridge, Exeter and East Devon “

So where will the sewage of the latest approved development of 870 houses go on a rainy day? The overloaded Exe? Then into Lyme Bay?

Why are we building with inadequate sewage facilities?

Why are sewage issues not part of the planning process and water companies not included as statutory bodies?

I will leave my beloved Otter with 3252 hours (135 days or 4 1⁄2 months) of poo being poured into it from Honiton last year for another day.