Dawlish Warren is on the south coast of Devon and is a long sand spit extending across
the mouth of the Exe Estuary. The beach resort is approximately 950 metres wide, and
is backed by sand dunes, and a nature reserve designated as a Site of Special Scientific
Interest (SSSI).
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/
Improvements to the storm overflows discharging to Dawlish Water were completed by
South West Water in March 2000. The sewage treatment scheme for Dawlish was completed
in 2000. The scheme included a sewage treatment works at Timaru Gardens which provides
secondary treatment and ultraviolet (UV) disinfection.
UV disinfection was installed at Countess Wear STW (Exeter) by mid-December 2001.
Improvements to Starcross STW on the western side of the Exe Estuary, and nine combined
sewer overflows (CSO) discharging to the River Exe were completed in 2002. The storm
tank at Countess Wear STW was completed by mid-December 2002.
During 2011 and 2012, storm overflow event duration monitoring (EDM) was installed
at ten storm overflows discharging to the Exe estuary, Dawlish Water, and Lyme Bay.
To protect shellfish water quality in the River Exe improvements were made to eleven
CSOs within the Countess Wear STW (Exeter) sewerage catchment by March 2018. These
improvements included UV disinfection of the Countess Wear STW storm discharge. A
further nine CSOs are scheduled for improvement by June 2021. UV disinfection is scheduled
to be in place at Kenn and Kennford STW by June 2021.
Improvements to Brook Street CSO, which discharges into Dawlish Water, are due for
completion by March 2025.
The urban area of Dawlish immediately behind the beach is served by a combined (surface
and sewer) system. There are no outfalls from the system onto the beach.
For the four year (2020-2023) assessment period where data is available, seaweed (macroalgae)
was assessed as being sufficient to be objectionable for 4% of visits, with 65% of
visits noting the presence of seaweed (macroalgae). 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 4% of visits. Phytoplankton (microscopic algae) naturally
increase in number at certain times of the year. This process is known as a phytoplankton
bloom. 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.
There are no active pollution risk forecasts made at this bathing water. However any
bathing water has the potential to be affected by a pollution incident and if this
occurs a pollution risk warning with associated advice against bathing will be issued
on this website.
The Dawlish STW outfall discharges to the sea two and a half kilometres southwest
of Dawlish Warren bathing water. The 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 Dawlish Warren
for the four year (2020-2023) assessment period where data is available, sewage debris
was not assessed as being sufficient to be objectionable, but was observed as being
present on 4% of visits. Litter was not assessed as being sufficient to be objectionable,
but was observed as being present on 64% of visits. Tarry residue was not noted at
this site.
There are farms in the catchment, most of which are dairy, beef, and sheep. During
and after periods of heavy rainfall, runoff to the River Exe from agricultural land
is greatly increased, and the quality of the bathing water can be reduced.
There are caravan parks and hotels that are not on the main sewerage system and have
private sewage treatment arrangements. The Environment Agency do not believe these
are a source of pollution to the bathing water. If any concerns arise, the Environment
Agency will investigate and request immediate remedial action from those responsible.
The catchment surrounding Dawlish Warren is approximately 150,000 hectares. The Exe
catchment extends from the moorland of Exmoor National Park at the source of the River
Exe, to the Exe Estuary at Exmouth. The main tributaries of the River Exe are the
rivers Culm, Barle, Clyst and Creedy. The Exe and Barle rise in the wet open moorland
of Exmoor, before flowing through steep-sided valleys with extensive broad-leaved
woodlands. The River Barle flows from northern Exmoor, to join the River Exe at Exebridge.
The River Culm rises in the Blackdown Hills and flows through the Culm Valley to join
the River Exe at Exeter. The River Creedy is a small river which merges with the River
Yeo at Crediton and meets the River Exe at Cowley Bridge. The River Clyst rises near
Cullompton, and flows through the Clyst Valley to join the Exe Estuary near Exeter.
Land in the catchment is mainly used for agriculture. There are more than 50 dairy
and other livestock 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.
