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.
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/
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.
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.
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.
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).
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.
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, 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.