news release
    15th August 2003

Clean water campaigners Surfers Against Sewage are fully behind the decision by Teignbridge District Council to warn the public of a deterioration in water quality at Dawlish Town beach yesterday. The decision to erect warning signs and fly red flags followed news that a routine water quality sample carried out by the Environment Agency failed to meet European standards.

Following the death of a young girl Heather Preen from E.coli 0157 back in 1999, Teignbridge District Council made it standard protocol to warn the general public if ever water quality at any of their beaches deteriorated below European standards.

Vicky Garner, Campaign Director:

" There is no reason why all other councils shouldn't be following exactly the same protocol as Teignbridge. Sewage polluted water presents a risk to health. If the council are aware that the water is polluted and that as a result peoples health is at risk, they have a duty to pass that information onto those using the beach".

" If all councils were doing the same thing, not only would we see less sewage related illness, we'd also remove the fear that currently stops other councils from informing the public when a problem arises. SAS can see no reason why other councils fail in this area, after all, who wouldn't prefer to visit a beach in an area where you know you are going to be told if there is a pollution incident?"

European legislation governing the quality of our beaches is currently being revised. Surfers Against Sewage have been pushing for the new legislation to outline a standard system of public information provision at beaches and bathing waters across the UK and Europe. The general public must be able to make an informed choice about when and where they use the water - communication is key.

SAS understand that following further Environment Agency tests which confirmed that water quality had improved and standards are once again being met, the flags and warning signs have now been removed from Dawlish Town beach.

For further information please call Vicky Garner or Rich Hardy (01872) 553001

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