THE Environment Agency carried out pre-season water checks at beaches in Teignmouth and Dawlish this week. The beaches are two of 15 in Devon being tested. All the locations have had water quality problems in the past and include beaches that attained the European Commission Bathing Water Directive's required standard but failed to achieve more stringent guidelines. The checks will help identify any potential pollution problems before the bathing water season starts on May 1. Checks were first introduced six years ago to give early warning of any possible water quality problems caused by pollution. The south west achieved a notable first in 2006 when all designated beaches passed the basic standard, making them the cleanest in the country. Compliance with the tougher guideline standard was almost 90 per cent. Environment Agency spokesman Judy Proctor said: 'South west beaches are a major attraction for visitors and local people during the summer months and we want to make sure water quality is as high as possible this year. 'These early checks help us pinpoint any problems before the formal bathing water season starts. 'We also work with South West Water and other private sewage dischargers to ensure sewage outfalls and screens are operating correctly'.
