Friends of the River Teign

16/06/2026

You may see some people collecting shellfish and water samples from the Salty at Shaldon today. This is part of the research being conducted by Exeter University researchers.

Today we are also being joined by another expert from CEFAS (Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science).

We will also be swapping out one of our temperature monitors and scoping out a second monitoring site at Coombe Cellars.

12/06/2026

🔬 Latest Environment Agency Results

There have been electrical supply problems at the Starcross Laboratory, resulting in the loss of some samples from the regulated bathing waters.

The only result currently available is for Teignmouth Back Beach, sampled on 1 June, which showed an improvement compared with previous results. ✅

Further results from samples taken at the other beaches on 5 June and 7 June are still being processed and will be published when available.

08/06/2026

One of the joys of Facebook is that you get to see stuff from other countries. Here is how another country does water quality warnings. Twice daily warnings based on enterococci test results that are available within 24 hours.

Yes, they have problems with storm overflows and heavy rainfall too. However, daily monitoring is at least a step above the current system of weekly testing here.

Forecast: GOOD water quality around the bay. FAIR conditions at Warrandyte and Healesville. epa.vic.gov.au/check-air-and-water-quality

07/06/2026

As promised earlier in the week, here are the latest Environment Agency testing results for three locations, two in Teignmouth and one in Shaldon..

We hope to be able to publish these weekly during the bathing water season.

Please use the comments for any questions.

04/06/2026

Bitton Brook – still something of a problem area

We have posted about the ongoing problems with Bitton Brook before.

We received the latest routine test results from the Environment Agency yesterday. Two of the results from Bitton Brook are notable, including one sample on 26th May that recorded an E. coli concentration of 50,000 cfu/100ml.

In response to these test findings, the Environment Agency has created a National Incident Reporting System (NIRS) incident record. This creates an official log of the incident and has been done previously when we have reported high bacterial levels there. The Agency have also asked South West Water to carry out an immediate investigation to help identify the source of the problem.

The spill data does not, however, show any recorded spills from South West Water assets in the area during the period when the tests were conducted (19th and 26th May). However, coincidentally, according to the South West Water data, the combined sewage overflow at First Avenue (the old Fire Station) appears to have operated briefly yesterday discharging into the Bitton Brook.

What does this mean in practical terms? We know that Bitton Brook can affect the water quality in the river during heavy rain, particularly at the Back Beach. We don’t know how significant this latest problem is or its cause. No official warnings have been been issued. However, it’s good to see the Environment Agency taking a proactive approach.

In the meantime, if you live near or regularly walk along Bitton Brook and notice discoloured water, unusual odours or any other signs of pollution, please report them to the Environment Agency’s incident hotline on 0800 80 70 60 or online at https://www.gov.uk/report-water-pollution.

We will provide further updates if more information becomes available.

01/06/2026

Thank you 🤩. Our river is part of our local community and grants like these make a real difference. Thanks to Shaldon Parish Council and Bishopsteignton Parish Council too.

Teignmouth Town Council supports local groups with community grants.

Teignmouth Town Council’s Finance Committee has agreed a number of grant awards to support local community organisations, events and activities across the town.

At its meeting on Tuesday 26 May 2026, the Committee approved support for Teignmouth Folk Festival, Citizens Advice Bureau, Friends of the River Teign, DTC Youth Theatre / Teign Stage Stars, Friends of OLSP and Teignmouth Carnival.

In total, the Committee awarded £9,000 in grant funding, alongside £1,000 of in-kind support for Teignmouth Folk Festival.
The awards included funding towards valued local services, youth theatre opportunities, environmental and community activity, school/community support, and events that bring people into the town.

Local charities and community groups wishing to apply for a grant from Teignmouth Town Council are encouraged to visit the Council’s website for further information, eligibility details and application forms.

The next meeting of the Finance Committee is scheduled for Tuesday 21 July 2026.

30/05/2026

This morning’s sunrise towards Exmouth with the larry coming from the river Exe.

21/05/2026

Blue Flag, Seaside Award… what do they actually mean?

It’s 1985. The first mobile phone costs the equivalent of £5,000, there are no texts, no apps, no internet, and calls cost around £2 a minute. It’s also the year the first Blue Flag awards are introduced in France.

How relevant are they today?

Blue Flag and Seaside Awards are really “beach awards”, not simply water quality awards. They cover a range of factors including safety, facilities, cleanliness and, to a degree, water quality.

Blue Flag beaches must be rated “Excellent” by the Environment Agency. Seaside Awards only require the minimum “Sufficient” standard.

That creates some odd results locally. Teignmouth Town Beach has the facilities needed for a Blue Flag, but is no longer eligible because its water quality is no longer rated “Excellent”. Ness Beach, meanwhile, is rated “Excellent” for water quality but lacks some of the facilities required for Blue Flag status, such as lifeguards.

Confused? You’re not alone.

That’s because Blue Flag and Seaside Awards do not independently test water quality. The key water quality testing is carried out by the Environment Agency.

So are Blue Flag and Seaside Awards the equivalent of a 1985 Motorola or an iPhone 17? In truth, a bit of both.

They do not guarantee sewage-free water — even Blue Flag beaches can experience sewage spills. Locally, the Blue Flag beach at Exmouth has had a sewage alert this week.

But the awards do still matter. They guarantee certain standards around cleanliness, safety and facilities, and there are now more than 5,000 Blue Flag beaches worldwide. Clearly, they are doing something right.

The real problem is the testing system itself. Water quality is often tested only once a week, with results arriving several days later. In 2026, that really is 1985 technology — and it’s widely recognised that the system is no longer fit for purpose.

20/05/2026

Back to the day job ….

After the excitement of the weekend it was back to the day job for Friends of the River Teign. A regular meeting of the Beachwise Forum at Roadford Lake.

Hosted by SWW, the forum brings together rivers groups from the South West, local authorities, the Environment Agency and South West Water. This session was relatively quiet, with possible changes to the bathing water regulations not expected to be announced until later in the year.

FORT got the honour of doing a presentation about our work. More on that later.