Rise in sewage dumped near Blue Flag beaches as the LibDems call for an end to sewage dumping in bathing waters by 2030

EMBARGO: 00:01 Monday 26th August

• Top five worst affected Blue Flag beaches for sewage discharges in Devon

• Staggering 2,328 sewage discharges near England’s Blue Flag beaches in just one year - up 55% on 2022

• Liberal Democrats call for popular beaches to be protected from sewage pollution amid fears of swimmers becoming sick

New research by the Liberal Democrats has found a shocking rise in the number of sewage discharges by mainland Blue Flag beaches with the party calling for an end to sewage dumping into bathing waters and highly sensitive nature sites by 2030.

Blue Flag status is an international mark of recognition that a beach is deemed safe and environmentally friendly. However, these new findings raise fears of water pollution for swimmers and wildlife.

As millions flock to the seaside for the Bank Holiday, the Liberal Democrats have called on water firms to stop pumping raw sewage onto Blue Flag status beaches. The party’s call follows reports of people becoming sick after swimming and surfing off popular beaches. 

The new analysis of Environment Agency data by the Liberal Democrats has found in 2023, there were a staggering 2,328 sewage discharges, lasting over 17,174  hours. This is 55% up on 2022, when there were 1,504 sewage discharges near England’s Blue Flag beaches.

The top five worst sewage discharges near Blue Flag beaches last year were all in Devon. 

The worst beach impacted was Seaton, where South West Water discharged sewage from nearby storm overflows 340 times last year - lasting 4,629 hours.

The second worst beach was Exmouth where South West Water dumped sewage 214 times last year, over 1,984 hours.

Devon was also the area with the greatest number of spills recorded by any event duration monitor nearby a Blue Flag beach in England, with an overflow by Meadfoot pumping out sewage 140 times last year.

Liberal Democrat Environment spokesperson Tim Farron MP said: 

“This is a national scandal. Our prestigious Blue Flag status beaches must be protected from foul sewage pumping. It is time to save our beaches. 

“It is truly shocking to hear reports of families becoming sick after taking a dip in the sea on holiday. 

“Profiteering and polluting water firms have gotten away with it far too long. Still today they pay themselves massive bonuses and profits, all whilst destroying our country’s coastlines. Frankly, the whole thing stinks.

“The new government must clamp down on this after years of Conservative government failure.”

ENDS

NOTES TO EDITORS:

Full list of sewage discharges near Blue Flag beaches in England (including the Isle of Wight), according to the latest Environment Agency data.

List of Blue Flag beaches 

Top 5 worst sewage discharges nearby Blue Flag beaches in mainland England:

Data for sewage dumping on Blue Flag Beaches in 2022 can be found here.