East Devon District Council is pleased to announce the Environment Agency pollution alert has been lifted at Exmouth.

This now means bathing can take place on all the district’s beaches for everyone again, following the recent alerts due to severe weather warnings which could have affected the river catchments. 

Explanation of the Environment Agency 's pollution warnings:

Between 15 May and 30 September EDDC receives daily ‘pollution forecast’ from the Environment Agency for all the registered bathing waters (Exmouth, Budleigh, Ladram, Sidmouth Jacobs Ladder, Sidmouth Town, Beer, and Seaton).  These forecasts are based on a range of factors including rain over the various river catchments, wind, known pollution events etc…

This is a forecast of potential pollution risk not a report of a specific incident. 

These forecasts are also sent straight to the electronic signs which are located at all our beaches.  During an alert of this type, it is mandatory requirement that bathing is closed, and signs displayed.   

Because these alerts look at the whole river catchment affecting the bathing water, they are more frequent at Exmouth and Budleigh since the Exe and Otter catchments are much larger than the Sid or the Axe.