Work to fix leaking Exmouth sewer due to start

South West Water brought in sewage tankers after the sewer burst in Exmouth

South West Water (SWW) is to start work on what it described as "a permanent solution" to fix a burst sewer in Exmouth.

Pollution prompted temporary warnings against swimming at the local beach.

The company said the leak was traced to a pipe on private land next to Maer Lane wastewater treatment works in August.

SWW said the first phase of work to replace the damaged section of sewer would begin later this month and it was due to be completed by the end of the year.

'Protect the environment'

The utility said the second phase would involve more of the sewer being replaced down to the Maer Road pumping station, and general improvements to the town's wider sewer system to reduce the number of spills.

Richard Price, managing director for wastewater services, said: "We are already making upgrades at Maer Road pumping station and to the outfall from Maer Lane Wastewater Treatment Works, both of which we aim to complete by March 2025.

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

Last month, the Environment Agency said a discharge from a storm overflow in the town led to a separate sewage spill and a further no-swim warning at the beach.

A number of businesses in Exmouth have said they are considering taking legal action against (SWW) over the sewage spills.