People in Exmouth are being told to stay out of the sea and avoid all contact with Littleham Brook after the water turned bright blue. The discolouration sparked an ongoing investigation by the Environment Agency (EA), which believes the mystery pollutant is ink from an industrial source.
The EA has classed the pollution as Category One, its most serious level, and has warned the public not to enter the water at Exmouth beach or any nearby swimming spots while checks continue. An EA 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.”
On Wednesday, September 16, EA officers met with East Devon District Council, the UK Health Security Agency and the Animal and Plant Health Agency as part of the probe. The EA did not respond to a request from East Devon News for the outcome of that meeting. Earlier in the week, the EA confirmed the bright turquoise substance was not linked to the sewage network. An overnight investigation traced the pollutant to an industrial source, and the discharge was later found to have stopped.
Yellow warning signs have been put up at the beach, and the no-swim warning will remain until the pollution and its toxicity in Littleham Brook can be identified. The EA said: “This reflects the severe environmental impact and the significant time the brook will need to recover.” It added: “We suspect it is from an industrial source.” Anyone with information that could help the investigation is urged to call the EA on 0800 80 70 60.
Blue Ink Pollution Prompts Exmouth No-Swim and Water Warnings