Water quality in Devon

Clean water is important for supporting wildlife, food production, recreation, public health, and the economy, as well as providing drinking water.

Water quality in Devon’s streams and rivers, lakes, estuaries, coastal waters and groundwater can be affected by a wide range of factors, including agricultural runoff, wastewater discharge, urban drainage, industrial activities and pollution from roads.

The Environment Agency monitors the health of rivers, lakes, estuaries, coastal waters and groundwater and assesses their ecological and chemical condition using specific water environment classifications.

These can cover hundreds of different measurements covering water quality, wildlife, habitats, water quantity and chemicals. Information about the condition of local rivers, estuaries and coastal waters can be found using the Catchment Data Explorer.

Some emerging pollutants, such as microplastics and pharmaceuticals, are not routinely monitored in all water bodies but are increasingly recognised as environmental concerns.

Devon County Council’s role in water quality

Devon County Council is not responsible for monitoring or regulating water quality. This responsibility sits primarily with the Environment Agency and other environmental regulators.

However, many Council services can influence water quality. For example, the Council manages highways, drainage systems, schools and other infrastructure that can affect rivers, estuaries and coastal waters.

The Council therefore works to reduce pollution and ensure its services and projects help protect and improve the water environment. This includes working with partners to improve drainage, reduce polluted runoff and support healthier waterways across Devon.

The Council also leads the Devon Resilience Innovation Project (DRIP), which uses natural flood management measures to improve water flow, reduce flood risk and deliver benefits for water quality and wildlife.

Devon Public Health, with UK Health and Security Agency, has statutory responsibilities to protect the population from health risks arising from water quality, including private water supplies and acute contamination incidents, to exercise health protection powers where necessary.

There is a general duty to public health, to advise on fluoridation, planning, and environmental decisions affecting health, but not regulate water companies or environmental water quality standards.

Bathing waters

A bathing water is a designated outdoor swimming site. Most are coastal beaches, but some are lakes and rivers.

The Environment Agency monitors bathing water quality during the official bathing season, which runs from 15 May to 30 September each year. Water quality is assessed by testing for bacteria that can affect human health.

To view near real-time information for bathing waters and storm overflows, visit WaterFit Live.

Please be aware that, when using near real-time water quality data, there are other important safety considerations to take into account before entering the water, including tides, currents, waves and weather conditions.

If you are unsure where it is safest to swim, consider choosing a beach with lifeguard cover and speak to the lifeguards on the day for advice. As a general rule, swimmers should stay between the red and yellow flags where these are in place.

Reporting water pollution

If you see pollution in a river, stream, estuary, lake or coastal area, report it to the Environment Agency as soon as possible.