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Sewage Spill in Dartmouth Prompts Swimming Area Warnings

A sewage spill at Mayor's Avenue Pumping Station in Dartmouth has led to warnings against swimming in affected areas, with repair efforts underway and warning signs posted.

·2 min read
Google A peaceful river scene shows small boats anchored on calm water, with a traditional house and chimney in the foreground and tree-covered hills and scattered homes in the background.

Sewage Spill in Dartmouth Area

Authorities have issued warnings advising people to avoid swimming in certain areas of Devon following a sewage spill incident.

The Environment Agency released guidance for the Dartmouth vicinity after a "pollution incident" occurred at Mayor's Avenue Pumping Station, which is managed by South West Water.

Dart Harbour and Navigation Authority announced that warning signs would be installed at popular swim locations such as Warfleet Creek, Dartmouth Castle, and Sugary Cove.

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South West Water confirmed that their teams are "working hard" to repair the burst pipe, with tankers transporting wastewater to a treatment facility "while we work to complete the repair as quickly as we can."

Google A small car park with several parked cars sits in front of a stone wall and a low industrial-looking site with pipes and buildings, likely part of a water or sewage facility, surrounded by trees.
Tankers are taking waste water from the Mayor's Avenue pumping station

Incident Timeline and Response

The harbour authority stated via social media that the spill began at approximately 21:30 BST on Monday.

"We will put up signs at the swim zone and the bathing beaches, which will remain in place until we are advised the incident is over," said the authority.

South West Water also issued a warning on its website regarding an "unplanned interruption."

"Our teams are working hard to fix a burst rising main at our Mayor's Avenue pumping station in Dartmouth," it said.
"We are using tankers to take as much of the flow from the pumping station to the nearby waste water treatment works as possible while we work to complete the repair as quickly as we can."

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This article was sourced from bbc

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