Heavy rain leads to pollution alerts

A NUMBER of beaches and coves around the Westcountry were hit with sewage alerts, following heavy rain showers over the weekend.

- WMN REPORTERS

According to campaign group Surfers Against Sewage’s Safer Seas and Rivers Service, there were a number of sewage alerts.

Alerts were in place in north and south Devon, at Torquay, Paignton, Dartmouth, Exmouth, Ilfracombe, and Plymouth.

In a number of popular locations, the organisation implemented sewage alerts, which means: “There has been a confirmed sewage discharge that may reduce the water quality.”

‘The organisation added its alerts would be in place “whilst the discharge is active and will then remain in place for 48 hours after the discharge has stopped.”

‘There were three sewage incidents alone in Torquay, one at Beacon Cove, another near Torre Abbey, and the third at Meadfoot Beach. There was also a sewage alert in place at Goodrington that stated: “Storm sewage has been discharged from a sewer overflow in this location within the past 48 hours.”