Reducing the risk of pollution in Exmouth Bay

We've issued South West Water (SWW) with a Local Enforcement Position (LEP). This sets out our enforcement position in relation to the temporary use of a new outfall from the Sewage Treatment Works in Lyme Bay, approximately 300m south of Straight Point (at National Grid Reference SY 0396 7914).

The change is intended to reduce the frequency of storm overflows affecting Exmouth Beach Bathing Water and improve water quality for the communities, wildlife and businesses that rely on it.

This is a temporary arrangement. SWW has applied to amend their permits to make the change permanent. We will be consulting on that application soon and will invite you to share your views.

Our marine specialists have reviewed SWW's modelling. The modelling indicates that diverting the discharge to the new outfall will not affect water quality at Exmouth and is not expected to adversely affect shellfish waters in Lyme Bay or Sandy Bay.


A Local Enforcement Position (LEP) is not a permit and it is not permission from the Environment Agency.

It is a regulatory decision that sets out circumstances where we would not normally take enforcement action against a specific activity. This only applies where:

  • the conditions of the LEP are met
  • the activity is temporary
  • the risks are understood and controlled
  • there are no unacceptable impacts on people or the environment

We consider requests for LEPs on a case-by-case basis. In exceptional circumstances, they enable us to take a pragmatic approach by setting out our enforcement position for a specific activity while continuing to protect people and the environment.


Before SWW can rely on the LEP, they must provide:

  • a monitoring plan showing how they will assess the impact on Sandy Bay and Budleigh Salterton bathing waters, and on Sandy Bay and Lyme Bay West shellfish waters
  • a contingency plan that sets out the actions they will take if the actual environmental impacts are worse than those predicted by the modelling

The conditions of the LEP also require that:

  • the new outfall can only discharge settled storm sewage and secondary treated sewage effluent that has been disinfected by means of ultra violet (UV) irradiation
  • use of the new outfall must not cause water quality to deteriorate

We have also made clear our expectation that SWW will complete upgrades to the Maer Lane sewage treatment works by 31 December 2028.


The LEP will apply until 11 January 2027, or until we have made a decision on SWW's permit applications, whichever comes first. If SWW fails to comply with the conditions of the LEP, or if use of the new outfall causes pollution, we will withdraw the LEP immediately.