Locals fuming about sewage infested sea in Devon town

It wasn’t a very happy weekend in Exmouth, Devon, as a sewage leak has caused swimming to be unsafe. 

I’m an Exmouth local, and we aren’t happy about it! It’s happened multiple times this year, and for it to cause our seas to be closed at the height of the summer is outrageous. 

Here’s what happened and what people are doing about it. 

Background of the sewage leak

This sewage leak in Exmouth, Devon, began when a critical pipe burst at the Maer Road pumping station, an essential part of the town’s wastewater management system. 

The issue was first reported on Wednesday. As the situation unfolded, South West Water (SWW) took emergency measures, including deploying tankers to manage the overflow and attempting to fix the damaged pipe.

By Saturday evening, SWW claimed to have completed a temporary repair, allowing the pipe to function again. 

But tankers remained on site. 

The Environment Agency and local council issued a strong advisory for people to avoid entering the sea. Yellow warning signs were placed along the beach, and lifeguards used loudspeakers to tell people to stay out of the sea. 

This is not the first time Exmouth has struggled with sea pollution this year, which has led to outcry among locals (myself included). We live in Devon to be close to the sea, but at the moment, we can’t use it!

Impact on the Local Community

The sewage leak has happened right at the peak of the holiday season, which has meant that daytrippers and last-minute holidaymakers may have stayed away. This has affected businesses along the seafront like Hangtime and EDGE watersports. 

Business owners are voicing their fears that the prolonged “don’t swim” alert will deter tourists not just in the short term but also damage the town’s reputation. 

The usually bustling seafront, which is the true heart of Exmouth’s tourism, has been nearly empty. 

Of course, there’s also a growing anxiety about public health. 

Residents are concerned about the potential risks of exposure to contaminated water, especially with reports of dead fish washing up on the shore. 

Although the sea is expected to be safe for swimming again after the incident is fully resolved, many locals remain sceptical – we think that the remnants of pollution could persist in the water past the 24 hour mark after its resolved. Also, if it’s happened once, surely it could happen again? 

Community outrage and frustration

We’re getting increasingly frustrated with both South West Water (SWW) and the local authorities. 

In the “End Sewage Convoys and Poolution” Facebook group, residents have been vocal about their dissatisfaction with how the situation has been handled. 

Many feel that SWW has failed to prioritise the well-being of the community, instead focusing on temporary fixes that do little to address the underlying issues.

One of the key criticisms is directed at SWW’s practice of discharging raw sewage into the sea, even in the absence of significant rainfall. 

We argue that this is not only harmful to the environment but also detrimental to a town that relies heavily on tourism. 

The visible pollution, combined with the continued presence of tankers, has left many of us questioning SWW’s commitment to safeguarding the community’s interests.

Broader legal and environmental implications

The incident in Exmouth has raised significant legal and environmental questions, particularly around the potential classification of the sewage leak as an environmental crime. Under UK law, environmental offenses, including causing or allowing pollution, can be prosecuted on a strict liability basis, meaning that intention is not required to prove the offence. 

Given the severity of the pollution and its impact on the local community, there is growing speculation that this incident could fall under such a classification.

The possibility of legal action is not limited to environmental law. 

Some residents have raised concerns about consumer rights, questioning whether the failure to provide a safe and reliable water service could be in breach of the Consumer Rights Act 2015. This law requires that services be provided with reasonable care and skill, and the ongoing issues in Exmouth suggest that SWW may be falling short of this standard.

Surely enough is enough now? Not being able to swim in our sea is a huge issue, and it’s time for South West Water to really take some responsibility.