High levels of E.coli found at Devon beach after swimmers fall ill

Mary Stenson
·4-min read
-Credit: (Image: Friends of the River Teign)
-Credit: (Image: Friends of the River Teign)


Worrying levels of illness-causing bacteria have been found at a Devon beach. It comes after people reported sewage smells and debris in the water and swimmers said they had fallen ill.

After tests on October 17, levels of E.coli and Intestinal Enterococci in the River Teign at Shaldon were found to be six to 10 times higher than the limits for safe bathing set out by the Environment Agency. This is despite bathing water quality at the beach being rated 'excellent' in its last four classifications.

E.coli and Intestinal Enterococci are types of bacteria found in human and animal faeces. If ingested, they can cause stomach bugs, with symptoms such as vomiting, diarrhoea and a high temperature.

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According to Friends of the River Teign, a local group that published the results, they have received reports of sewage smells coming from the water and say a number of people had reported feeling unwell after swimming in the water.

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The group says it wants to build up a clearer picture of water quality in the area by carrying out its own tests. The Environment Agency currently only tests designated bathing water between May and September, meaning the levels of bacteria in the winter are largely unknown.

The recent results are said to be the worst recorded at Shaldon in recent years. While the Friends of the River Teign say they are unsurprised, they are worried about people becoming ill.

A spokesperson for the group said: "This was the second sample that we have taken during the period when official testing has stopped. The previous test had shown excellent water quality but this test was taken after a day of heavy rain.

"Although we were not surprised that the water quality was poor, this is the worst water quality that has been recorded at Shaldon in recent years. What's even more worrying is that we have also received several reports of illness from river users."

It comes after a Environment Agency report revealed water quality plummeted at popular swimming spots including Exmouth during the winter after it trialled out-of-season testing.

The Friends of the River Teign has been raising funds to continue carrying out its own tests. At the same time, it says it is pushing for official testing to take place in the winter.

The group said: "The Friends of the river Teign plans to continue testing during the winter months and are raising funds to do this. Each test is professionally analysed in an accredited laboratory and it will take time for us to build up the data needed to get a clear picture of the state of the river.

"We do know, from the testing carried out by the Environment Agency at Exmouth last year, that water quality can decline dramatically during the winter but we hope that this result is an isolated incident."

Earlier this week the Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (Defra), launched a consultation for reforms to The Bathing Water Regulations 2013. The proposals include removing the fixed dates of the bathing season from regulations, changes to the designation criteria of bathing sites and and the removal of automatic de-designation after five years of 'poor' water quality.

In response to the new data from Shaldon, South West Water says "a wide range of factors" may have contributed to the pollution levels. It comes as the water company is facing significant backlash for pollution incidents, including a burst sewage pipe in Exmouth over the summer, which has put them on the receiving end of the largest ever group legal case against a water company in UK history.

A spokesperson for South West Water said: "There are a wide range of factors which can affect water quality in our seas and rivers, including agricultural and urban run-off. We recognise that to improve water quality, we all need to play our part.

"Heavy rainfall caused our overflow at Shaldon to activate in line with its permit. We know our customers want to see immediate action to reduce the use of storm overflows. This is an absolute priority and as part of our investment of £2.8 billion from 2025-2030 we will be the first water company to meet the Government’s target of less than 10 spills a year per overflow by 2040 - 10 years ahead of our 2050 deadline."

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