A £70,000 investigation is being launched into poor bathing water quality at Combe Martin.

South West Water and the Environment Agency will investigate why the sea off Combe Martin beach has failed water quality standards for three years running.

One area under investigation will be the use of Combined Sewer Overflows.

These are pipes that allow excess domestic sewage and storm water to be released into rivers.

Their main purpose is to stop domestic sewage and storm water backing up through the system and flooding homes and streets.

They are controversial because the sewage receives far less treatment than normal.

The

Journal

has learned that South West Water has three combined sewer overflows in Combe Martin — discharging directly to the River Umber.

They were used regularly in 2008 and 2009 because of the persistent rain downpours.

The CSOs were used 57 times between May 6 and September 4 last year, 2009. The previous year they were used 71 times between May 5 and Septem- ber 18.

Nick Smart, a water quality expert with the Environment Agency, said: "When you see the figures there's an implication which needs further attention. That's why our investigation is continuing."

Paul McNie, principal scientist for South West Water, said: "Storm overflows are an essential part of the sewerage system. We work closely with the Environment Agency to ensure any sewage discharged has as little impact as possible.

"All three CSOs in Combe Martin have screening to remove debris. When the overflows operate in storm conditions the sewage discharged is very dilute and has been settled and screened.

"Consequently any affects of the discharges on the River Umber are limited."

When a new EC Bathing Water Directive comes into effect in 2015, signs could be placed on Combe Martin Beach informing bathers of the poor water quality if the situation does not improve.

The Environment Agency and South West Water investigation will look at several possible factors as well as CSOs. These include run-off from agricultural fields, dog fouling on beaches and the performance of treatment works.

Paul McNie said: "The indicator organisms used to monitor bathing water quality are found in a wide range of sources from both animals and human.

"There are many factors in the catchment which could affect the bathing water, all of which are affected by adverse weather conditions.

"The investigations, are part of the work being undertaken for the revised bathing waters directive. If these studies identify the need to improve our discharges then South West Water will be seeking funding to undertake this in order to meet the Government's targets under the new directive."

The Environment Agency, has ordered South West Water to review the overflows in Combe Martin by March.