Human Sewage dominant in River Lim - even when it’s dry
Environment Agency bacteria tracking has again found high levels of human sewage at the mouth of the River Lim. This pollution affects the designated bathing beach at Church Cliff.
In the research report for 2025, which has just been published on the eve of Paddle Out protests against sewage pollution, the most startling finding is that human-dominant samples only occurred under dry conditions.
This suggests the discharge or source is unlikely to be related to rainfall-driven events or overflow discharges.
The conclusions support repeated claims the River Lim Action group has made to South West Water that sewage is leaking from ancient and decaying drainage systems in the lower town. The Environment Agency says: “the data provides evidence that major sources of faecal contamination are introduced between Woodmead Bridge and the River Lim at the beach”.
Rob Thomas, of River Lim Action, said: “it is commendable that South West Water are carrying out improvements to reduce the amount of sewage they release into the river and onto the beaches from their overflows. However the poor water quality of the River Lim and on Church Beach will not improve significantly unless the sources of the human sewage leaking into the river in the lower part of town have been identified and reduced. This requires urgent and concerted effort by the Environment Agency, South West Water and homeowners in that area who may have misconnections”.
The Environment Agency report says: “Church Cliff Beach has failed to meet the minimum bathing water standard since its re-designation in 2024 and has historically been classified as Poor, largely due to its proximity to the River Lim. Front Beach, further east, has maintained a good classification since 2018”. Other sources of bacterial pollution include agriculture, seabirds and dogs.
Notes:
The research uses Microbial Source Tracking to analyse the source of bacterial concentrations.
Full report: https://www.turnlymegreen.co.uk/s/EA-MST-Report-300426.pdf
