Pollution fears in Exmouth have sparked a warning to stay out of sea, not to swim, and ‘avoid all contact’ with Littleham Brook after the water turned bright blue.
Public health chiefs probe Exmouth blue water pollution lab results amid a criminal investigation – as no-swim warning remains
The discoloured water this week sparked an ongoing probe by the Environment Agency (EA) to identify the mystery pollutant, which is believed to be ink from an ‘industrial source’.
The Environment Agency said the pollution was the ‘most serious category’, prompting the call to stay out of the water at Exmouth, and the brook, as investigations continue.
An Environment Agency spokesperson said: “We appreciate people will be concerned about the pollution incident in Littleham Brook.
“Our officers continue to investigate the nature and source of this pollution, and how much pollutant has entered the brook.
“As a precaution, we advise the public to avoid all contact with Littleham Brook, and not to enter the water at Exmouth beach and any nearby swimming spots.”
The Environment Agency believes the water pollution could be ink, but said investigations were continuing.
Photo: The Environment Agency.
Anyone with information to help the ongoing investigation into the polluted brook is urged to contact the EA.
On Wednesday (September 16) Environment Agency officers met with East Devon District Council, the UK Health Security Agency and the Animal and Plant Health Agency, as the probe continued.
However, the EA did not respond to a request by East Devon News to provide the outcome of the meeting.
Earlier this week the EA confirmed the bright turquoise substance in the water was not linked to the sewage network.
An overnight investigation traced the mystery pollutant to an ‘industrial source’ and the discharge was later found to have stopped.
But as the bright blue substance continued to move downstream, a warning was issued to stay out of the water at Exmouth. And yellow warning signs were visible to beach-goers.
The EA said the Exmouth no-swim warning would remain until Littleham Brook’s pollution, and toxicity, could be identified.
The pollution at Littehem Brook, Exmouth, sparked warnings to stay away from the water and out of the sea.
Photos: The Environment Agency.
.The Environment Agency said it graded the Littleham Brook pollution as a Category One, confirming it was the ‘most serious’ level.
The EA said: “This reflects the severe environmental impact and the significant time the brook will need to recover.”
It said it would continue to investigate to identify the pollutant and how much had entered the brook, adding: “We suspect it is from an industrial source.”
If you have information to help the EA investigation, call 0800 80 70 60.
