Investigation into 'black, smelly sand' on Exmouth beach

Sunbathers are being told to avoid the area between Orcombe and the lifeboat station

Author: Simon McleanPublished 18th Jul 2022

An investigation's underway into what's caused a patch of black smelly sand on Exmouth Beach .

Red flags have been put out on a stretch between Orcombe and the lifeboat station, and people are being advised to avoid visiting that part of the beach.

An East Devon District Council spokesperson said: “We are currently working with the Environment Agency which raised a pollution incident after reports of black sand with a foul odour near an abandoned sewer line at the eastern end of the beach.

"Currently, we are unsure whether this is a result of a sewage pollution, a surface water discharge or a natural occurrence."

South West Water and the Environment Agency are looking into what's happened.

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