A meeting to discuss the responses by the Environment Agency and South West Water to the major sewage spills and incidents experienced in Exmouth in the last year was held on Thursday 24th October.
A meeting to discuss the responses by the Environment Agency (EA) and South West Water (SWW) to the major sewage spills and incidents experienced in Exmouth in the last year was held on Thursday 24th October. The meeting, initiated by David Reed MP for Exmouth and Exeter East, was attended by Town and Exmouth District councillors and Community Organisations.
Both EA and SWW gave brief presentations, focusing on plans to repair and renew the rising main which burst in August in Maer Lane. The EA confirmed the incidents were being investigated and SWW explained the first phase of upgrade work will involve replacing temporary pipes by the end of this year, and a second phase will replace the main pipes from Maer Road to the Maer Lane Sewage Treatment Worksmby March 2025.
Several other topics were discussed which addressed matters such as the cleanliness of bathing waters, public health issues, water testing sites along the beach front, the number of sewage sludge tanker movements and the discharges of sewage from the outfall pipes at Maer Rocks and Sandy Bay.
Mr Reed was asked to take the matters discussed up to Parliament and provide updates on a regular basis, particularly around the Water Bill. Mr Reed said, “This is the first of a series of quarterly meetings to be held to discuss the progress being made regarding the treatment and disposal of sewage across Exmouth and Budleigh Salterton.”
Cllr Joe Whibley, Mayor of Exmouth added “Thank you to David Reed for providing this opportunity to sit down together and discuss the concerns for Exmouth and to everyone for attending and taking part in a meaningful conversation”.
Cllr Graham Deasy, who Chairs the Town Council’s Flooding and Water Quality Working Party welcomed the initiative to bring representatives together. “We are grateful to Mr Reed for this initiative, which we hope will complement the regular meetings the Council already has with SWW and the EA.”
Further information on the regular Town Council Flooding and Water Quality working party meetings can be found by visiting https://exmouth.gov.uk/flooding-and-land-drainage-working-party/ or by contacting the Town Council office on 01395 276167 or emailing reception@exmouth.gov.uk
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