The ongoing repairs to a burst sewage pipe in Exmouth are expected to continue for "several weeks," according to South West Water's CEO.
The sewage pipe on Maer Lane burst on August 14, leading the Environment Agency to issue a 'do not swim' advisory for the town's popular beach. While the warning was soon lifted, the weekend that followed saw a significant drop in beach visitors, which locals described as "extremely depressing" for the area. On August 18, South West Water announced that it had installed a temporary overland pipe to alleviate the situation, though approximately 10 tankers remained on standby in the Maer Lane area as a precaution.
Efforts to implement a permanent fix are now underway but have encountered setbacks. On Friday, August 30, the Environment Agency reissued a swimming advisory due to sewage pollution caused by a "small spill" from the temporary tank connected to the overland pipe. This warning was lifted the next day, but on September 2, beachgoers were again cautioned against swimming due to a "pollution incident." South West Water's bathing water quality map indicated that sewage overflows might be affecting several nearby areas, including Exmouth, Dawlish, Budleigh Salterton, Sidmouth, and Seaton. This latest issue is not believed to be linked to the ongoing work at Maer Lane.
In a statement on September 1, South West Water CEO Susan Davy confirmed that repairs at Maer Lane would continue for "a number of weeks," noting that teams were working around the clock with a focus on environmental protection.
In a video message from the Maer Lane site, Davy emphasised the scale of the project and praised the efforts of the teams involved. "This is a massive undertaking," she said, "but our teams are fully supported and making good progress."
Davy acknowledged the disruption caused by the ongoing work and apologised to the community, stressing that minimising the environmental impact and protecting local watercourses were top priorities. She also mentioned that a broader plan for Exmouth's infrastructure is in place, with new facilities expected to be operational by 2028. South West Water is exploring ways to expedite some of this work to better support the community.
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