The sea is set to be given a yellow tinge around Exmouth in Devon, as a water company conducts investigations into the location of a “discharge point”.
In an attempt to combat sewage issues, South West Water will be applying a “harmless” dye that causes a “temporary colouring” to the water so that the outfall pipe can be better assessed.
In leaks taken elsewhere, sewage has reportedly been pumped into the Irish Sea in mass quantities during recent storms.
This has caused Blackpool council to put out a warning to budding beachgoers urging people to “not swim or bathe” at a swathe of beaches along the coastline impacted by raw sewage.
Surfers Against Sewage has sailed close to the wind in its campaign against SW Water
PA
On its website, Blackpool Council said water company United Utilities had announced that during the recent storms "untreated sewage, mixed with rainwater, was released into the sea".
The council added: "Please be advised to not swim or bathe in the water at Blackpool Central, Bispham, North and South beaches until further notice.
"Wyre Council and Fylde Council are also advising against swimming at Fleetwood and Cleveleys beach, St Anne's and St Anne's North beaches until further notice."
The news comes after an Anglian Water advert promoting its campaign to build and protect wetlands was banned by the Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) for failing to mention the company’s penchant for polluting the waters with sewage.
Protestors have been telling SW Water to cut the crap
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ASA detailed how dumping effluent into the rivers and sea had devastated fish populations and natural habitats, and Anglian Water has been fined as a result.
Testing the waters in Exmouth is a move that South West Water hopes will soften the sour taste left in many people’s mouths by widespread and repeated dumping of sewage into swimming areas.
A South West Water spokesperson said "We will be carrying out investigative work at Maer Rocks in Exmouth involving dye testing.
"The work follows a request from the local community for us to confirm the location of the discharge point from our outfall pipe.
Save Windermere stop the sewage campaign last month
PA
"As a result, customers may notice some yellow/green discolouration to the sea near Maer Rocks on Wednesday morning.
"We would like to reassure local residents and visitors that the dye is harmless and other than a temporary colouring, will not affect bathing water quality or the wider ecology of the beach or Exe estuary."
The mayor of Exmouth, Olly Davey, clarified to Devon Live that there is "much confusion over when a discharge actually takes place”.
Davey said: "We are really pleased that South West Water has agreed to carry out the dye testing.
"This will go a long way to reassure the local community and help with understanding the issues involved."
