2024 Bathing Water Profile for Budleigh Salterton
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Budleigh Salterton is at the mouth of the River Otter on the south coast of Devon. It is a pebble beach resort, approximately one kilometre wide, backed by the promenade and cliffs.
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East Devon
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Devon
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The Environment Agency have previously investigated sources of pollution to this bathing water. Our investigations have included using continuous river quality monitors, taking additional bacterial samples and a survey looking at the effect of the tide on the bathing water sampling point. We used a DNA tracing technique to help identify whether sources of faecal pollution are human or animal. Our officers also carried out walkovers of the catchment looking for potential pollution from agricultural practices. We continue to monitor the bathing water closely.
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There is an emergency overflow from the Lime Kiln pumping station that discharges to the Kersbrook 400 metres (m) from the Environment Agency monitoring point. There is a storm overflow from the Lime Kiln pumping station that discharges to the sea at Ottern Ledge 1.3km to the east of the Environment Agency monitoring point. There is a storm overflow at Marine Parade at SY06648186 that discharges to the Knowle Stream at the beach 200m west of the Environment Agency monitoring point. The operation of the overflows can lead to a temporary drop in bathing water quality. This bathing water is included in the Surfers Against Sewage “Safer Seas Service”. This service can alert you to Combined Storm Sewer Overflow discharges via a phone App and in addition, it includes the Environment Agency Pollution Risk Forecast warnings where they are available. Further details of the service can be found at - http://www.sas.org.uk/safer-seas-service/
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The South West Water sewage treatment scheme for Budleigh Salterton was completed in 1997. Sewage from Budleigh Salterton is pumped to the Exmouth sewage treatment works (STW) for treatment. The scheme also included some resewerage work. The original outfall at Otterton Ledge (Lime Kiln) has been retained as a combined sewer overflow (CSO). Storm overflow event duration monitoring (EDM) was installed at five CSOs discharging to the Knowle Brook, two to the River Otter, and one to Lyme Bay between 2011 and 2013. Improvements to Meadow Road Tank CSO, which discharges to the Knowle Brook, are due by 2025.
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The urban area of Budleigh Salterton immediately behind the beach is served by a combined (surface and sewer) system. The Environment Agency have regularly inspected and sampled surface water outfalls.
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For the four year (2020-2023) assessment period where data is available, seaweed (macroalgae) was not assessed as being sufficient to be objectionable, but was observed as being present on 46% of visits. This bathing water does not have a history of large amounts of seaweed (macro algae).
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Wrongly connected domestic waste water pipes can also affect the bathing water quality. We have checked the local sewerage system for misconnections. We are working with East Devon District Council and South West Water to identify and rectify any problems when they arise. Modern sewerage systems have two separate systems, one takes foul sewage to sewage treatment, the other takes rainwater runoff through surface water drains to rivers, lakes and the sea. Misconnections occur when waste water pipes are plumbed into surface water drains instead of the foul water sewerage system. This can give rise to pollution when the waste water is discharged directly to the environment through the surface water drain. For example, a washing machine or toilet may be incorrectly plumbed so that it discharges to the surface drain rather than the foul sewage drain.
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For the four year (2020-2023) assessment period where data is available, phytoplankton (microscopic algae) was not assessed as being sufficient to be objectionable, but was observed as being present on 2% of visits. Phytoplankton (microscopic algae) naturally increase in number at certain times of the year. This process is known as a phytoplankton bloom. These blooms can discolour the water or form as a foam on the water. This bathing water does not have a history of phytoplankton blooms. The risks to human health from contact, ingestion or inhalation with marine algae that currently occur in UK coastal waters are considered to be low. However, some individuals may be more sensitive and display some reactions. A common marine algae found in UK coastal waters is Phaeocystis, which is often mistaken for sewage as it forms foam and a brown scum, but it is non-toxic.
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This bathing water is subject to short term pollution procedures. The Environment Agency makes a daily pollution risk forecast at this site based on the effects of rain, wind, sunlight and seasonality on bathing water quality. These factors affect the levels of bacteria that get washed into the sea from livestock, sewage and urban drainage via rivers and streams and how they disperse. When these factors combine to make short term pollution likely we issue a pollution risk warning on this website and the beach manager will display a sign advising against bathing at the bathing water. After a short term pollution event, levels of bacteria typically return to normal after a day or so but it’s possible to have several warning days in a row. Details of the work to reduce the sources of bacteria at this bathing water are detailed in this profile. In 2023 12 pollution risk warnings were issued for this bathing water. All bathing waters have the potential to be affected by a pollution incident and if this occurs a pollution risk warning will be issued with associated advice against bathing on this website.
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2024 Bathing Water Profile for Budleigh Salterton
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2024-09-30
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2024-05-01
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Streams and rivers are typically affected by human sewage, animal slurry and runoff from roads. There are two streams which flow across the beach to the east (Kersbrook) and to the west (Knowle Brook) of the Environment Agency monitoring point. The River Otter also enters the sea to the east of the Environment Agency monitoring point. The Environment Agency have monitored the River Otter since 1987 and found that bathing water quality is temporarily worse after heavy rainfall.
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Environment Agency samplers make observations of litter present on the beach at every visit, this includes assessments of sewage debris, litter and tar. At Budleigh Salterton for the four year (2020-2023) assessment period where data is available, sewage debris was not noted at this site. Litter was not assessed as being sufficient to be objectionable, but was observed as being present on 62% of visits. Tarry residue was not noted at this site.
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There are more than 50 farms in the catchment. During and after periods of heavy rainfall, runoff to the River Otter from agricultural land is greatly increased, and the quality of the bathing water can be reduced. The Environment Agency have worked with Natural England and farmers on Catchment Sensitive Farming programmes to encourage better farming practices and improve water quality in the surrounding areas. Fencing and alternative water drinkers have been installed to prevent cattle access to the river. As part of this work a misconnected farmyard drainage system was found, which has since been rectified.
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The Environment Agency have worked with businesses on the small industrial estate at Heath Park in Honiton to ensure there is no effect on bathing water quality at Budleigh Salterton.
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The catchment surrounding Budleigh Salterton is approximately 24,200 hectares. The Knowle Stream is approximately five kilometres long and flows from Lympstone Common through farmland and Budleigh Salterton to the sea at the beach. The Kersbrook is approximately six and a half kilometres long and flows from Bicton Common through farmland to East Budleigh. It continues south flowing parallel to the River Otter and enters the sea at Budleigh beach. The River Otter rises on the Blackdowns and flows southwest past Upottery, Monkton, Honiton, Ottery St Mary and Newton Poppleford until it reaches the sea near Budleigh Salterton. It has a number of tributaries including the River Tale, River Love and River Wolf. The steep catchment means rain runs off rapidly into the Otter. Land in the catchment is mainly used for agriculture, with more than 50 farms.
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Budleigh Salterton
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Budleigh Salterton
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Sampling point at Budleigh Salterton
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306860
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50.62932092648733
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-3.318248600635247
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81900
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Sampling point at Budleigh Salterton
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p152 dT23 h59 m59 s
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2024 05 01 t00:00:00
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2024-05-01T00:00:00
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2024 09 30 t23:59:59
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2024-09-30T23:59:59
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2024 22100:1
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Seaweed (macroalgae) and phytoplankton (microscopic algae) are a natural part of the marine and freshwater environment. Below we note whether these have been recorded in quantities sufficient to be a nuisance.
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The majority of sewers in England are “combined sewers” and carry both sewage and surface water from roofs and drains. A storm overflow operates during heavy rainfall when the sewerage system becomes overwhelmed by the amount of surface water. The overflow prevents sewage from backing up pipes and flooding properties and gardens. An emergency overflow will only operate infrequently, for example due to pump failure or blockage in the sewerage system.
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Heavy rain falling on pavements and roads often flows into surface water drains or highway drains, ending up in local rivers and ultimately the sea. The quality of bathing water may be adversely affected as a result of such events.
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It is the Environment Agency role to drive improvement of water quality at bathing waters that are at risk of failing higher standards. It is natural for water to run off the land to the sea. Water quality at a bathing water is dependent upon the type and area of land (the catchment) draining to the water and the activities undertaken in that catchment.
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Discharges from sewage treatment works have improved substantially in England since the 1980s.
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