Seaside sewage campaign share information at beach

Fanchea Catton (right) speaks to people on the esplanade

Campaigners planning legal action against a water firm over sewage pollution have been sharing information about discharges at a Devon beach.

The Exmouth campaigners have been on the town's esplanade explaining what sewage discharges have meant for the environment, swimmers health and local businesses.

Community groups and businesses are planning to take action against South West Water (SWW) after a series of sewage spills led to warnings not to swim in the sea along the town's coastline.

SWW said it was working on improvements to "significantly" reduce the number of spills.

Pollution 'isn't acceptable'

Exmouth had 64 pollution spills in January according to data from Surfers Against Sewage, said the campaigners.

Fanchea Catton, of Clean Seas, which is supporting the local campaigners, said: "We're here to engage with the general public.

"We have over 1,000 supporters, but we want more people because we have to show our strength in numbers that this isn't acceptable.

"And we're working towards the problem being fixed."

SWW said in a statement: "Like all our customers, we care deeply about the quality of our region's bathing waters and fully understand how important this is to residents, businesses and visitors.

"We are working with our regulatory partners to bring forward our planned improvements in Exmouth. This includes upgrading our pumping stations and treatment works to significantly reduce the number of spills.

"We are continuing to do everything we can to protect the environment as part of our £38m investment in Exmouth."