A volunteer group has raised concerns about pollution in the River Teign after revealing that water quality dropped to worrying levels last winter.

Friends of the River Teign (FORT) reported that the tests it carried out at Shaldon Beach last winter revealed significant dips in water quality. The group has just restarted its winter water quality test programme.

Shaldon beach is currently ranked ‘excellent’ by the Environment Agency. The results showed that water quality dipped below the minimum threshold that bathing waters must achieve before local authorities have to publish warnings about bathing.

The results showed that on one occasion in April water quality was many times worse than the minimum standard. This followed a long period of over 10 weeks of excellent water quality.

‘Heavy rain, especially after long dry spells, can trigger very high levels of bacterial contamination from sewage overflows, agricultural runoff and even roadside gullies,’ FORT explained. ‘There were a number of these events that together mean that the overall classification of the bathing water at the beach fell below the minimum ‘Sufficient’ standard set by the Government.’

Volunteers at FORT began testing water quality last October, soon after the group launched.

The tests, which are processed in a UK Accreditation Service (UKAS) certified laboratory, detect bacteria that can indicate the presence of sewage and agricultural pollution.

‘Last winter we carried out 27 tests. Each test is done in the same way as the Environment Agency tests, which are only carried out between May and September,’ explained FORT chair Stuart Reynolds. ‘This was the first time that testing has been conducted throughout the autumn and winter,’ he added. ‘Shaldon beach is ideal for testing during the winter months as its sheltered location ensures that testing can be carried out in all weather conditions.’

The group plans to continue testing over the next six months and will reveal a detailed analysis of the results at its annual meeting on Friday November 7.

FORT was set up in October 2024 to give the River Teign a voice. The community group aims to preserve and enhance the 31-mile watercourse and its surrounding coastline by focusing on water quality, biodiversity and building links with communities who have an interest in the river.

In particular, the group is keen to monitor water quality throughout the year, not just when the official Environment Agency tests during the summer. ‘We know that many people still swim in the river every day,’ Stuart commented at the FORT launch event.

‘We want to be evidence-based, using reliable science and expert knowledge to make the case for better water quality,’ he added.

In addition to water quality testing FORT aims to be a positive force for good. Representatives have campaigned in London to urge the government to take immediate action to curb river pollution.

Volunteers have also taken part in clean ups along the River Teign in Teignmouth, Shaldon and Newton Abbot.