Welcome to 2024! – Owl
Thousands of Devon residents and holidaymakers planning to head to their local beach come [Monday] morning for a chilly dip in the sea are being warned of potential sewage in the waters.
Lisa Letcher www.devonlive.com
South West Water says sea swimmers could be heading to sewage-polluted waters due to the heavy rainfall that has been coming down in the past 48 hours. It’s as continued heavy rain and strong winds are expected with a Met Office weather warning in place until midnight.
As a result, beaches where some of the largest New Year’s Day dips take place annually have already been impacted with 27 sewage pollution alerts in place. They include Sidmouth, Croyde and Sandy Bay. Check the full list from Surfers Against Sewage
Posting on Facebook, South West Water wrote: “It’s that time of year when many of us are looking forward to the traditional New Year’s Day swim. Based on the current weather forecast we are expecting heavy rainfall over the weekend, which may result in activation of some of our coastal storm overflows.
“These are essential to prevent flooding into homes and businesses during these periods of heavy rain. Our operational teams are constantly reviewing the weather forecast and taking action, where possible, to prevent or limit their use.”
An interactive map by SAS is its online version of the Safer Seas & Rivers Service (SSRS), tracking real-time sewage discharge and pollution risks around the UK. It monitors water quality at over 450 river and coastal locations across the country so you can swim, surf, paddle or splash without the risk of getting sick and currently has warnings issued for 27 Devon beaches.
England’s sewers were designed with 14,500 storm overflows to stop them from becoming overwhelmed, allowing a mixture of surface water and sewage to be discharged during heavy rainfall. But according to the Environment Agency, these overflows are now used on a routine basis.
Water companies discharged untreated sewage through storm overflows almost 390,000 times in 2022 for a total of 1.7 million hours. Last year the Lib Dems issued a warning ahead of New Year’s Day swims. Mr Farron, the Lib Dem’s environment spokesman, said: “This is a real Christmas stink for so many hoping to enjoy their traditional festive swim.
“The freezing cold water should be the only thing swimmers worry about, not sewage floating by them. It’s disgusting that our coastlines and lakes have been polluted by this foul habit. There needs to be a ban on sewage discharges in swimming areas.”
South West Water has a similar alert system to SAS’s with its Waterfit Live page. It lists 18 beaches in Devon with a current warning that reads: “Condition of the bathing water may be affected by the operation of overflows”
All the beaches with sewage warnings in place on New Year’s Eve in Devon according to SAS:
South Coast
Plymouth Firestone Bay
Plymouth Hoe West
Plymouth Hoe East
Mothecombe
Thurlestone South
Salcombe South Sands
Mill Bay
Sugary Cove
St Marys Bay
Goodrington
Paignton Preston Sands
Beacon Cove
Meadfoot
Teignmouth Holcombe
Dawlish Coryton Cove
Dawlish Town
Sandy Bay
Budleigh Salterton
Beer
Seaton
North Coast
Westward Ho!
Croyde Bay
Woolacombe Village
Ilfracombe Hele
Combe Martin
East Devon Watch 