A correspondent has sent Owl a photo of the “unmonitored” emergency overflow (EO) pipe flowing directly under the footpath from the sewage pumping station in Budleigh’s Lime Kiln car park and discharging into the Kersbrook.

This EO featured in two recent posts.

The first referenced a freedom of information request  (FOI) from an individual, Peter Williams, and the second was a comment from a shocked correspondent in response.

Peter Williams submitting the FOI through the “What do they know” open website on 10 February 2024 said: “I have video and photo evidence that this EO has discharged sewage and related items, including sanitary pads, into the Kersbrook channel and from their to the beach through a culvert.” He went on to ask questions about the frequency and duration of discharges and whether or not the public and environment agency had been informed.

This EO is not marked on SWW “WaterFit LIve” maps nor is it marked on the Rivers Trust maps yet is only 100m from the sea. 

In the head to head “question time” in Newton Poppleford, Simon Jupp said, in answer to questions on sewage:

“Now, what has the government done? For the first time ever, we have 100 per cent monitoring of storm overflows.”

Not so hasty Simon – WE DO NOT HAVE 100% MONITORING of discharges onto our beaches.

PS. What goes in the rivers also ends in the sea and we have no live monitoring of sewer outfalls into rivers. – Owl