Beachgoers have been warned parts of the sea near Exmouth could turn yellow or green as part of “investigative work” by a water company.
South West Water confirmed to Sky News that dye will be used to identify the site of a “discharge point” and said it was “harmless” and only a “temporary colouring” which will not impact the quality of the bathing water.
It comes as there are ongoing concerns around the UK coastline over the quality of waters amid continuing discharges of sewage.
Blackpool Council is urging people not to swim at a string of beaches after raw sewage was released into the Irish Sea during storms.
The dye testing in the waters off Exmouth follows concerns about sewage on the beach, which was apparently later found to be rotten seaweed.
The locals still have concerns about the water quality, but the testing on Wednesday “will go a long way to reassure” people.
A South West Water spokesperson told Sky News: “We will be carrying out investigative work at Maer Rocks in Exmouth involving dye testing.
“The work follows a request from the local community for us to confirm the location of the discharge point from our outfall pipe.
“As a result, customers may notice some yellow/green discolouration to the sea near Maer Rocks on Wednesday morning.
“We would like to reassure local residents and visitors that the dye is harmless and other than a temporary colouring, will not affect bathing water quality or the wider ecology of the beach or Exe estuary.”
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Read more on Sky News:
Why sewage spills was not a priority for water industry
‘Increase in water bills’ will pay to stop sewage discharges
The mayor of Exmouth, Olly Davey, told Devon Live there is “much confusion over when a discharge actually takes place” but added: “We are really pleased that South West Water has agreed to carry out the dye testing.
“This will go a long way to reassure the local community and help with understanding the issues involved.”
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Beachgoers warned over untreated sewage
Beachgoers visiting the coastline in Lancashire have been told to “not swim or bathe” due to untreated sewage.
On its website, Blackpool Council said water company United Utilities has announced that during this week’s storm “untreated sewage, mixed with rainwater, was released into the sea”.
“Please be advised to not swim or bathe in the water at Blackpool Central, Bispham, North and South beaches until further notice,” the council added.
“Wyre Council and Fylde Council are also advising against swimming at Fleetwood and Cleveleys beach, St Anne’s and St Anne’s North beaches until further notice.”
It comes as an advert for Anglian Water promoting its building of wetlands to protect the environment has been banned by the Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) because it failed to mention the company’s history of releasing sewage into waters.
The ASA said complaints about the advert had raised issues of how the dumping of sewage into rivers and the sea had killed fish and wildlife – and Anglian Water had been fined as a result.
