Urgent Warning for Exmouth Beach Swimmers

Beachgoers at Exmouth Beach have been advised against swimming following a sewage pipe burst on Wednesday afternoon. The incident occurred near an RNLI station in the popular tourist destination, coinciding with a surge of visitors due to warm weather and the school summer holidays. South West Water has issued a warning, stating, "Bathing is not advised due to pollution from sewage," and East Devon District Council has echoed this caution, confirming the pollution incident. The council reported that they were informed of the situation at 5:31 PM, emphasizing that bathing is currently not recommended along the Exmouth seafront. They assured the public that further updates would be provided as more information becomes available. The water company has mobilized teams to address the issue, stating that they are working on a repair for the burst sewer located on private land adjacent to the Maer Road pumping station. To manage the situation, tankers will be transporting effluent from the site to the Maer Lane treatment works throughout the night. A temporary overland pipe will be installed until a permanent solution can be implemented. South West Water has expressed regret for the inconvenience caused and thanked the public for their patience during the repair process. This incident follows a troubling history for South West Water, which faced legal action earlier this year for multiple charges related to illegal sewage discharges across various locations in Cornwall and Plymouth, raising concerns about the company's environmental practices.