The storm overflow from the Exmouth STW discharges to the sea approximately 800m from
Sandy Bay bathing water. The operation of the overflow can lead to a temporary drop
in bathing water quality.
The South West Water sewage treatment scheme for Sandy Bay was completed in 1997.
Sewage from Sandy Bay is pumped to the Exmouth sewage treatment works (STW) for treatment.
The outfall from Exmouth STW is off Straight Point and was extended further offshore
in 1998. Storm overflow event duration monitoring (EDM) was installed at Exmouth STW
by April 2011.
The Environment Agency periodically carries out additional catchment monitoring, and
this is used to make recommendations for further improvements to protect and improve
bathing water quality.
In 2021 the Environment Agency’s investigation into the bathing water deterioration
began. In 2022 this developed into a catchment investigation to discover sources of
pollution in the catchment. High bacteria results were established in both freshwater
streams discharging onto the beach. The EA and SWW worked with private owners to determine
any misconnections around the bathing water, one significant misconnection was detected
in the freshwater stream and repairs were completed.
The investigation found that pollution causes were 50% misconnections & 50% urban
run-off. The Environment Agency commissioned additional stream monitoring within 2023
bathing season with Microbial Source Tracking & DNA preparation.
For the four year (2020-2023) assessment period where data is available, seaweed (macroalgae)
was assessed as being sufficient to be objectionable for 28% of visits, with 61% of
visits noting the presence of seaweed (macroalgae). The bathing water can become covered
with large amounts of seaweed at certain times of the year, depending on tides and
the weather. Groynes and rocks, platforms or other fixed objects may also develop
a covering of seaweed which can be slippery.
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 6% 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, tide, 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.
No warnings were issued last season as this site is new to PRF
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. The Sandy Bay Stream is a small stream that discharges at the eastern
side of the bathing water.
Environment Agency samplers make observations of litter present on the beach at every
visit, this includes assessments of sewage debris, litter and tar. At Sandy Bay for
the four year (2020-2023) assessment period where data is available, sewage debris
was not noted at this site. Litter was assessed as being sufficient to be objectionable
for 2% of visits, with 77% of visits noting the presence of litter. Tarry residue
was not noted at this site.
There is a holiday park above the beach which has a private foul sewage system that
is connected to the Exmouth STW. Surface water can flow into the Sandy Bay Stream
from the caravan site. This can affect bathing water quality, particularly after periods
of rainfall. Wrongly connected trade and domestic waste water pipes can also affect
the water quality of rivers and the sea. The Environment Agency investigations into
bathing water quality have included checking the local sewerage system for misconnections.
The Environment Agency will continue to work with the caravan site owner and South
West Water to improve management where appropriate.
The catchment surrounding Sandy Bay is approximately 45 hectares. There is a large
holiday park at the top of the cliffs behind the beach, which encompasses the majority
of the catchment. The steep catchment means rain runs off rapidly into the Sandy Bay
Stream which flows across the beach.
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.
