Exmouth's on-going fight for cleaner seas
Quote: "Represented by Leigh Day, Exmouth residents, swimmers and businesses are bringing a group legal action against South West Water for alleged sewage pollution of Exmouth Beach and the surrounding area." Leigh Day.
Sewage Spills and Legal Actions
In August 2024, a burst sewer near Maer Lane wastewater treatment works led to untreated sewage being discharged into the sea at Exmouth Beach. This incident prompted the Environment Agency to issue warnings against swimming and to consider legal action against South West Water, the responsible utility company. theguardian.com
In response, Exmouth residents, swimmers, and businesses have initiated a group legal action against South West Water, alleging that the company has repeatedly discharged untreated sewage into the River Exe and the English Channel, adversely affecting Exmouth Beach and the surrounding area. leighday.co.uk
Environmental and Community Impact
These sewage discharges have led to the closure of Exmouth Beach on multiple occasions, disrupting local tourism and recreational activities. The community has expressed frustration over the recurrent pollution incidents, which have also affected local businesses and residents' quality of life. the-independent.com
Regulatory Response and Future Measures
The Environment Agency has been actively monitoring the situation, considering various enforcement actions, including potential prosecution and requiring South West Water to invest in environmental remediation. South West Water has acknowledged the issues and is working on infrastructure improvements to prevent future discharges. theguardian.com
In November 2024, the Environment Agency reported that South West Water plans to replace the rising main from Maer Road pumping station to Maer Lane sewage treatment works, aiming for completion by Spring 2025. This initiative is part of a broader effort to enhance the sewerage system and reduce pollution incidents in the area. engageenvironmentagency.uk.engagementhq.com
While these developments are promising, the community remains vigilant, advocating for sustained improvements to safeguard Exmouth's environment and public health.
Exmouth SUP & Paddle Group
Most British waterways and beaches have been effected by ongoing pollution by the various water companies for various reasons and the fight is being taken back to the water companies who are to be held accountable for the sorry state of our water.
Water is a valuable resource for life on our planet but more importantly it's our playground and we would rather NOT share it with unsavoury detritus discharged up and down the coast by profit before service water companies.
The Exmouth SUP & Paddle Group steers neatly away from promoting political issues. Frankly if the conditions are good we tend to prefer to be on the water rather than getting into scrapes but this has gone too far and the beautiful coastline of Exmouth south Devon is suffering.
The problem with Exmouth
Exmouth is a rural location surrounded by farm land and in fairness intensive farming to feed an ever expanding planet means a payoff between a level of pollutants and none.
Naturally after heavy rainfall one may expect a little discharge which is usually neatly mopped up by nature itself as it has done for millions of years. However... lately it's not just been farming waste ended up in the water - enough said!
That's where the problem lay - there's now just TOO MUCH of it and enough is enough so the people of Exmouth are fighting back to force a change.
We cannot just blame South West Water we also need to look at local and national government who force through building and development projects in areas like Exmouth before adjusting the old, creaky pipework that services them.
One cannot take 18th century crumbling sewerage systems, slap a new piece of plastic pipe on it and call it "job done" without consequences and that is exactly where we are today.
Exmouth is expanding beyond the capability of the underpinning sewerage system - so you see it's not just South West Water who's to blame here. Granted that the lack of historic investment has meant that the aging 18th century pipes have largely been preserved regardless of fit for purpose but the housing rush by successive governments has led to out of control concreting over areas where nature once prevailed in a rush to build "affordable homes". Affordable to those on £250k salaries - a dream to those who actually need affordability but this is NOT a political story else one would cite the sewerage outfall from the current government to be "excessive".
The gloves are off down Exmouth way!
Legal firm Leigh Day are helping local residents fight back against South West Water and you can join the fight by visiting their website but there are also various groups set up locally you may find informative.
- Leigh Day - Claim against South West Water.
- Exmouth Swerage Pollution Claim - "For conversation, support and discussion amongst clients of Leigh Day - working to end sewage pollution in Exmouth."
- ESCAPE - Formed to do what the name suggest, End Sewage Convoys And Pollution in and around Exmouth.
If you are a keen paddle boarder or kayaker then you may also like to join the Exmouth SUP & Paddle Group to - click here to find out more.