Coastguards Beach, Water Quality Investigation Update

Following the Environment Agency’s classification of bathing water quality as ‘Poor’ at Coastguards Beach, WATER has been meeting with the parties involved to ensure the required initial investigation of the type and source of the pollution is being vigorously pursued.

A team from WATER had an initial online meeting with the Environment Agency (EA) and an extensive phone conversation with the newly appointed contact at South West Water (SWW). Both discussions were constructive and have led to a site meeting and walkover of the catchment with the EA and a planned site meeting with a Senior Asset Manager and specialists from South West Water.

The Lud Brook, one of the Environment Agency’s visited watercourses.

EA catchment walkover

In early June, three members of WATER’s Catchment Action Plan group met with the EA’s Environmental Monitoring Officer for a walkover of the lower part of the catchment. The team visited Sequers Bridge, Ayleston Brook and associated small waterways below Modbury, Sheepham Brook, Lud Brook and Bowcombe Brook.

The EA officer appreciated the local knowledge and insight that WATER was able to contribute to the site visits.

The EA Officer’s role covers bacterial sampling and other factors, such as salinity, but does not cover in-depth chemical analysis or ecological monitoring. These are managed by other EA teams and carried out at different locations.

WATER stressed that, although the bathing water quality at Coastguards is a priority, WATER is concerned with water quality in all its aspects, not just the human health aspect of bathing water for which bacterial testing is carried out.

Bacterial sampling is undertaken at five sites (two for marine water and three for freshwater). The EA have agreed to restart sampling at Fawnes Bridge, Ermington and have noticed a strong correlation with e.coli and intestinal enterococci between Ayleston Brook and Coastguards Beach.

SWW site meeting arranged at Modbury Waste Water Treatment Works

A meeting between a senior management team from SWW and members of WATER’s Catchment Action Plan team was arranged for early July when WATER will learn about SWW’s Enhanced Monitoring Programme and their separate bathing water sampling and analysis. Discussion about SWW investments in the Erme catchment and specifically the already-planned upgrading for the Modbury and Ermington plants with UV treatment, will also be discussed.

WATER seeks and gains support from local MPs

WATER Chair, Charlotte Grezo and members of the Steering Group meet with Caroline Voden, MP in her Totnes constituency office.

WATER Chair, Charlotte Grezo and members of the Steering Group meet with Rebecca Smith, MP in her Plympton, constituency office.

A team from WATER recently met with each of our two local MPs whose constituencies include parts of the Erme catchment: Caroline Voaden MP for South Devon and Rebecca Smith MP for South West Devon

Several topics were raised; among them, WATER requested and gained support from both MPs to hold SWW and the EA to account with respect to the commitments both have made to improve the water quality in the Erme.

MPs also agreed to write to the Secretary of State for Environment and Rural Affairs to ask when guidance for extending the length of the testing season, at designated bathing waters, will be published. This was mentioned in the recent review of Bathing Water Regulations.