A bi-annual community sea dip event took place on Exmouth beach after a pollution warning lasting 14 days was lifted at the eleventh hour.
The Big Dip takes place in spring and autumn with the aim of encouraging the community to come together in a show of solidarity for the appreciation of our coastline. The event nearly couldn’t take place after pollution, traced to an “industrial source” located upstream in the Littleham Brook on September 11, led the Environment Agency and East Devon District Council to issue a warning for people not to enter the water. They lifted the restriction on Friday 25 September after 14 days meaning the event on Sunday could go ahead.
Event organisers said it’s “more important than ever” to celebrate our coastline after the sea was closed at the beach for almost a third of 2025 due to sewage pollution. Exmouth community environmental group Escape recorded that the water off Exmouth beach was affected by sewage pollution on 111 days in 2025 according to the Surfers Against Sewage Safer Seas and Rivers Service app.
South West Water (SWW) was responsible for the most spills in the whole of England last year according to analysis by conservation charity Friends of the Earth, while, in its latest Water Quality Report, Surfers Against Sewage reported that SWW was guilty of the most sewage discharges in the country in 2024. SWW was offered the chance to comment on these findings but no response was forthcoming.
Organised by Sideshore Community – a not-for-profit Community Interest Company which runs year-round events and workshops focusing on sea safety and environmental awareness while promoting wellbeing – the event was supported by Sea Swim Devon and Exmouth Beach Rescue Club, which has had to cancel youth training sessions due to pollution warnings.
Sideshore is currently one of many groups, organisations and individuals which have launched a legal claim against SWW for sewage pollution, being represented by law firm Leigh Day.
Bernie Rhodes, Activity and Project Manager at Sideshore said: “The recent industrial pollution caused a lot of community concern and confusion but we had to trust the experts that the water was safe for us to dip in on Sunday.
“For many people access to the sea is intrinsically linked to their physical and mental wellbeing, friendships, and sense of community. Recent events have reminded us just how precious this resource and natural playground is, and how it’s more important than ever to protect our coastline and celebrate our seas.”
Nicky added: “We’re angry that our most precious and beautiful natural resource is used as a dumping ground, while South West Water continues to make a huge profit. The Big Dip was a brilliant example of the Exmouth community coming together to enjoy the water and was a show of solidarity in the fight for clean water.”
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