South Devon Waters polluted.

Is this a result of climate change and coastal erosion?

Bay beach shut in waste alert

Saturday, September 06, 2008, 09:57


PART of a South Devon beach has been closed to swimmers after another sea water alert.

Goodrington Beach North was closed to bathers yesterday after a member of the public reported discolouration in the water off the beach.

Signs were put up by Torbay Council advising people the quality of the bathing water could not be guaranteed.

It is thought the problem had been caused by water being pumped from overflow tanks into the sea caused by the bad weather.

South West Water's storm overflow tanks pump into the water at Goodrington North.


The discharge is thought to be road run-off water not sewage. But the council says the beach has to be closed because the water quality cannot be guaranteed.

The water company is allowed to carry out a permitted discharge of water in certain areas.

One of these areas is Goodrington North because it isn't a designated bathing beach.

A Torbay Council Spokesperson confirmed Goodrington beach North was closed after a member of the public reported a discolouration of the water and South West Water confirmed it was carrying out a permitted discharge.

It is thought the permitted discharge has taken place now because of the weather conditions over the last few days.

South West Water does not have to inform the council in advance of a discharge taking place. Torbay Council says it will speak with South West Water later today to confirm it has stopped pumping the water.

At the start of August two other Torbay beaches had to be closed to swimmers in a similar safety alert.

Abbey Sands and the Blue Flag Preston Beach were closed to bathers for several days at the height of the holiday season.

This alert was said to be due to heavy rain.

Torre Abbey was closed for three days and Preston for six days after the alert.

A spokesman from South West Water said: "Consented Storm Overflows, which operate during times of heavy rainfall, are essential to prevent sewage from escaping through manhole covers or back through our own toilet systems.

"Our Clennon Valley pumping station pumps to a storm tank which, due to the persistent heavy rainfall yesterday, reached its capacity. This resulted in a consented discharge.

"Clean Sweep," biggest water bills in the whole of Great Britain, to pay for it !
What an absolute joke. Has anyone told the E.U. in Brussels about all these problems, because it was them who said we had to clean up our bathing water.
Dave, Paignton
commented on 06-Sep-2008 14:48
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the north sands is for the dogs to sh**t on that's why it is not designated for bathing,its about time dogs were banned surely peoples health comes first
micky, lancs
commented on 06-Sep-2008 12:24
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Could someone please explain why the North Sands is unfit for swimming yet South Sands (with exactly the same water!) is deemed fit?? I also have to ask why a golden beach in a holiday resort is not classed as one designated for bathing? It's a bit like the old days in the cinema when patrons were reminded that one side of the cinema was non smoking...nobody thought to tell the smoke in the atmosphere that!!
The Phantom Scribe, Paignton
commented on 06-Sep-2008 10:53