Polluted Devon river turns fluorescent blue at beauty spot

Environment bosses have issued an urgent “do not swim” warning at a UK beauty spot after a pollutant turned the river bright blue.

Pictures issued by the Environment Agency (EA) show the lurid stream at Littleham Brook in Exmouth, Devon. As a precaution, swimmers have been advised against entering the water at Exmouth beach as the water is analysed for toxicity.

On Saturday night the agency said the pollutant had been traced to an “industrial source” but that it had found “no visible environmental impacts,” adding it would continue to review the advice against swimming and lift it when safe.

The leak is believed to have been reported at around 8:30pm on Friday.

In a post on X, the EA said: “A bright blue substance was reported in Littleham Brook, Exmouth. We attended and found no visible environmental impacts, but issued an advice against bathing as a precaution.

“Overnight it was traced to an industrial source, but it has stopped. It is not linked to the sewage network. The pollutant is still moving downstream and is likely to reach the bathing water this afternoon.

“We’re awaiting toxicity information, so the advice against bathing on Swimfo remains. We’ll review again later and lift it when safe.”

It further explained its restrictions on its interactive map, adding: “Exmouth bathing water is affected by the catchment surrounding the Littleham Brook, which is approximately 600 hectares, and also by the enormous Exe Estuary catchment which is approximately 150,000 hectares.

“The Littleham Brook is four and a half kilometres long and flows southwest from Littleham Village through Green Farm and Maer Farm to Maer Bridge where it is piped under the beach to the sea at Maer Rocks.”

The EA said the incident is expected to end on 15 September.