Need to know

Popular Devon beaches hit with no swim warnings ahead of music festival

The Environment Agency said there is pollution from sewage

Do not enter the water in Dartmouth after a sewer burst

1. A no-swim warning is in place at a number of popular swimming locations in Devon after a sewer burst. Swimming at Warfleet Creek, Dartmouth Castle, and Sugary Cove is not advised as the Environment Agency (EA) reports sewage pollution.
2. The EA said the pollution was first reported around 11am yesterday (Thursday, May 14). It added that the sewage pollution is affecting the Dart Estuary and Warfleet Creek.
3. A sewer burst at a pumping station in the Dartmouth area. South West Water (SWW) said the burst has been repaired, but did not confirm how long the burst spilt sewage.
4. The Dart Harbour and Navigation Authority said: "Following a pollution incident at SWW's Mayor's Avenue pumping station, we advise against bathing in the Dartmouth area. We have put up signs at the swim zone and the bathing beaches, which will remain in place until we are advised the incident is over."
5. A spokesperson for South West Water told DevonLive: “Our teams completed a repair to a burst sewer at our Mayor’s Avenue Pumping Station in Dartmouth at 10pm yesterday evening. We can confirm that the pumping station is now back in use."
6. The pollution incident comes as the three-day Darts Music Festival gets underway in the town.
7. In an update on Saturday, May 16, Dart Harbour & Navigation Authority confirmed: "We have been advised by the Environment Agency that the pollution incident at Mayor's Avenue pumping station has been resolved and the bathing waters at Warfleet and Castle Cove are back to normal."
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