A new map released by environmental action group Surfers Against Sewage (SAS) says 26 beaches in Devon may be contaminated by raw sewage. Following last week’s heavy rainfall, 26 beaches in the county are under a “sewage contamination alert,” according to the organization’s website.
SAS monitors water quality at 47 beaches in Devon, which means around 55% are likely to be contaminated. According to SAS, the contamination alert means “stormwater has been discharged from a sewer overflow at the site within the past 48 hours”.
The warnings mainly affect beaches on the south coast and hotspots such as Plymouth, Torbay and Exmouth, but Woolacombe on the north coast is also affected. The main contributor to beach pollution is urban runoff, where fertilizers, pesticides, petroleum and untreated human and animal waste enter waterways such as rivers.
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These harmful pollutants eventually reach our beaches. Most of the contaminated water remains on the surface. This can make entering the water dangerous. According to Surfing Today, some experts even recommend waiting 72 hours after it rains before entering the ocean.
Swallowing water that may be contaminated with feces can cause gastroenteritis, hepatitis, giardiasis, rashes, amoebic dysentery, nose, ear and throat problems, pink eye and other respiratory illnesses. Symptoms to watch out for include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, cramps, and inflammation of the stomach and intestines.
Devon beach flagged as pollution risk
- Sidon
- beer
- sidmouth town
- Baddeley Salterton
- Sandy Bay
- exmouth
- Teignmouth Holcombe
- shaldon
- midfoot
- lighthouse bay
- monastery tower
- Preston Sands Hotel Paignton
- paignton sands
- Goodrington
- st mary’s bay
- Dartmouth Castle and Sugar Bay
- mill bay
- Salcombe South Sands Hotel
- hope bay
- thulston south
- Edited by Bantham
- motekom
- Plymouth Hoe East
- plymouth hoedown
- plymouth firestone bay
- Woolacombe Village
To find out more and find out where it’s safe to swim, visit Surfers Against Sewage’s website.