Plymouth beaches on sewage alert after Storm Betty
Several pollution alerts have been issued for popular beaches in Devon the day after Storm Betty brought plenty of rain and high winds. Environmental campaign group Surfers Against Sewage has issued six red alerts for Devon, warning beachgoers and ocean lovers to be wary as swimming or surfing on raw sewage could have serious impacts on people’s and dogs’ health.
Among the worst affected areas highlighted on the St Agnes-based charity’s pollution alert tracking app[1] are some of the county’s most popular beaches including those near Sidmouth, Torbay, Plymouth.
The pollution alerts were issued on the day after the Met Office issued a storm warning for most of Cornwall and parts of Devon last night.
When sea water is polluted with raw sewage discharges, which water companies are legally allowed to do after storms to avoid sewage backing up into people’s homes and businesses, there is a risk of becoming sick with potentially harmful bugs like e-coli.
Get the best stories delivered to your inbox every day.Choose what you want here[3]
About Plymouth Hoe[4] East, SAS says: “Storm sewage has been discharged from a sewer overflow in this location within the past 48 hours. A small shingle and rock city beach, Plymouth Hoe East is a narrow strip below a promenade and Plymouth Hoe. There is a sewer overflow that discharges SW of the beach and a number more in the surrounding area that support the city of Plymouth.”
The beaches with pollution or incident alerts are:
- Plymouth Hoe West
- Plymouth Hoe East
- Mothecombe
- Mill Bay
- Meadfoot
- Ladram Bay
References
- ^ pollution alert tracking app (www.sas.org.uk)
- ^ Devon village riled by Gordon Ramsay as pub takeover rumours swirl (www.plymouthherald.co.uk)
- ^ Choose what you want here (www.cornwalllive.com)
- ^ Plymouth Hoe (www.plymouthherald.co.uk)