New sewer burst delays repairs at seaside town

The repairs follow a burst on 30 December

Work to fix a burst sewer in a Devon town has been delayed again, South West Water (SWW) has said.

The utility company had been expected to fix the problem in Exmouth by Saturday, but said work was continuing after another burst.

The sewer burst on 30 December and sewage tankers have been passing through the town to a pumping station while repairs continue.

The Environment Agency has advised swimmers against going in the sea at Exmouth due to sewage pollution since the incident started.

The Environment Agency has advised swimmers against going in the sea

A SWW spokesperson thanked local people for their patience.

"We successfully fitted the overland pipe which would take flows around the bursts, and allow the removal of tankers and clearing of the site ready for repair," they said.

"Unfortunately, after setting it up, when we put flows back into the sewer, the build-up of pressure caused another burst further up the sewer."

The repair had been fixed but would take two to three days for the concrete to dry.

"Once the concrete is dry, we will be able to introduce flows back into the sewer," they said.

"Unfortunately, we will have to continue tankering until this is complete."