Seaton is a resort town in Lyme Bay on the south coast of Devon. It is a shingle beach
approximately one kilometre wide, and the River Axe Estuary enters the sea through
a small harbour at the eastern end of the bathing water.
The storm/emergency overflow from the Harbour Road pumping station, discharges to
the Axe Estuary one and a half kilometres northeast of the Environment Agency monitoring
point at Seaton beach. The operation of the overflow 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/
Seaton sewage treatment works (STW) has discharged secondary treated effluent to the
River Axe since 1986. The South West Water sewage treatment scheme for Seaton, which
provides secondary treatment and ultraviolet (UV) disinfection, was completed in 2002.
Storm tanks and screens were installed at the STW in April 2003, and work to reduce
the frequency of storm spills at Axmouth pumping station was also carried out at that
time. CSO event duration monitoring was installed at Seaton STW, Axmouth and Harbour
Road pumping stations in April 2011.
The Environment Agency investigations have shown that the bathing water quality at
Seaton beach can be affected by the River Axe at some states of the tide.
The urban area of Seaton immediately behind the beach is served by a combined (surface
and sewer) system. There are a number of small outfall of pipes along the promenade
that drain surface water from the surrounding area.
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 49% of visits. This bathing water does not have a history of large amounts
of seaweed (macro algae).
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.
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 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 5 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.
Streams and rivers are typically affected by human sewage, animal slurry and runoff
from roads. Seaton is close to the estuary of the River Axe which can affect bathing
water quality after heavy rainfall. The Environment Agency have monitored the River
Axe at the beach since 1987.
The Seaton STW outfall discharges to the River Axe Estuary two and a half kilometres
from the bathing water. This discharge is disinfected and designed to protect bathing
water quality.
Environment Agency samplers make observations of litter present on the beach at every
visit, this includes assessments of sewage debris, litter and tar. At Seaton (Devon)
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 52% of visits. Tarry residue was not noted at
this site.
There are more than 50 farms in the catchment, most of which are dairy, beef, and
arable. During and after periods of heavy rainfall, runoff from agricultural areas
in the steeper areas of the upper catchment to the River Axe is greatly increased,
and the quality of the bathing water may be reduced.
The Environment Agency are working with Natural England and farmers on Catchment Sensitive
Farming programmes to encourage better farming practices and improve water quality
in the surrounding areas.
The Environment Agency have worked with businesses on the small industrial estates
on Harbour Road to ensure they do not affect bathing water quality. The Environment
Agency encourages all new developments to be built in a way so as to minimise impact
on the bathing water quality.
The catchment surrounding Seaton is approximately 40,300 hectares. The River Axe is
35 kilometres long and rises near Beaminster in Dorset. It is joined by the Yarty
and Coly tributaries and becomes tidal three kilometres inland at Colyford. The porous
nature of the geology beneath the River Axe catchment causes the river to respond
relatively slowly to rainfall compared with other rivers in East Devon. The Axe Estuary
is a bar-built estuary containing extensive mudflats, saltmarsh and reed beds. At
low tide, islands are formed across the intertidal mudflats, isolated by a narrow
channel. The estuary enters the sea at Axmouth near Seaton.
The catchment is known for its valuable visual landscape and includes parts of the
Blackdown Hills, East Devon and Dorset Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONBs).
There are also four Special Areas of Conservation (SAC), one Special Protection Area
(SPA), 29 Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI's), and 118 Scheduled Monuments.
The catchment is mostly agricultural, with more than 50 farms.
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.
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.
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.
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.