Beaches in Burnham-On-Sea, Brean and Berrow have been given the ‘all-clear’ this week after a ‘pollution incident’ involving sewage at the weekend leading to bathers being urged not to enter the sea at Weston or Uphill.
The Environment Agency gave a public warning on safety following an incident in the River Axe over the weekend.
While people have been told advised not to enter the sea at Weston-super-Mare beach and Uphill Slipway, the beaches at Burnham, Berrow and Brean are unaffected, The Environment Agency confirmed to Burnham-On-Sea.com.
Ian Drury, spokesman for Wessex Water, told Burnham-On-Sea.com: “We have been carrying out emergency repairs during the weekend to a sewerage pipe that was leaking under the River Axe.”
“We immediately stopped the flow to prevent sewage entering the river and met with the Environment Agency on site.”
“As a precautionary measure, and to check any effect on the environment, our scientific team took samples from the river and beach which are being analysed. The results will be given to the Environment Agency.”
“Tankers were used to maintain sewerage services during the weekend. Temporary pipework is now in place over the River Axe and work is under way to permanently fix the damaged pipe.”
“We apologise to any local people who may have noticed extra traffic movement in the area during the weekend while we were carrying out the emergency repairs.”
Mike Dunning, a spokesman for the Environment Agency, told Burnham-On-Sea.com: “Burnham’s sea water has not been affected by the River Axe sewage issue.”
“However, we did advise people not to swim in the sea at Burnham on Monday following the heavy rain over the weekend, but I would stress that is normal guidance after heavy rainfall and not connected with the sewage incident.”
Uphill beach – where the public has been told not to enter the sea this week
