5. Environmental Quality

Environmental Quality

Improvements in the environmental quality of the Exe Estuary will lead to improvements in the quality of life for the local human and wildlife populations. ,QRUGHUWRJDLQPD[LPXPEHQH¿WIURP the Exe Estuary environmental quality must be maintained or improved, which is particularly challenging in the face of increased pressures from a larger population and the greater variety of activities taking place on or around the Estuary.

Image 5a: The mouth of the Estuary Source: EEMP

A new strategic approach to managing England’s Natura 2000 sites has been developed by Natural England, the Environment Agency and other key partners. The Improvement Programme for England’s Natura 2000 6LWHV ,3(16 VXSSRUWHGE\(8/,)(ZLOOSUHSDUHD6LWH,PSURYHPHQW3ODQ 6,3 IRUHDFK1DWXUDVLWH PDULQHDQGWHUUHVWULDO LQ(QJODQGE\WKHHQGRI7KHVHSODQVZLOOSURYLGHDKLJKOHYHORYHUYLHZRIWKH issues affecting the condition of the site and also, will identify the priority actions and mechanisms required WRWDFNOHWKRVHLVVXHVDQGWKHIXQGLQJVRXUFHVDYDLODEOH7KH([H(VWXDU\6SHFLDO3URWHFWHG$UHD 63$ DQG'DZOLVK:DUUHQ6SHFLDO$UHDRI&RQVHUYDWLRQ 6$& ZLOOVKDUHDVLQJOH6,3DQGLWZLOOEHGHYHORSHGLQ FROODERUDWLRQZLWKWKHRUJDQLVDWLRQ V PDQDJLQJERWKVLWHVDQGZKLFKKDYHDUROHLQGHOLYHULQJWKHDFWLRQV required to improve their condition.

However, the South West European Marine Sites’ 2003 characterisation of the Exe Estuary came with several conclusions on the state of the Estuary’s environment that are still accurate. They are:

The intertidal sediments and fauna of the Exe Estuary remained unchanged for much of the 20th century. An assessment of faunal diversity showed there was no adverse effect from chemical pollution, or organic enrichment from sewage and bait digging. Organic compounds are below detection limits and generally considered of little toxicological importance in WKHGHVLJQDWHGVKHOO¿VKDUHDV 7KH5LYHU([HDSSHDUVWREHWKHVRXUFHRIWKHPDMRULW\RIQXWULHQWEXLOGXSVGXHWRDJULFXOWXUDOUXQRIIDQG sewage discharges. The Exe Estuary is exhibiting symptoms of eutrophication including phytoplankton blooms.

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_6WDWHRIWKH([H(VWXDU\ Environmental Quality

5.1 Air Quality

Air quality management is necessary to bring down air pollution to levels that are safe for people to breathe and to prevent air quality from worsening in areas where it is currently acceptable. There is still a great deal of uncertainty over the health effects of air pollution and, although it is believed that the risks to individuals are relatively small, there is increasing medical evidence that air pollution damages health and can trigger asthma DQGRWKHUEUHDWKLQJLOOQHVVHV3ROOXWLRQIURPWUDI¿FFDQFDXVHOXQJGDPDJHDQGLVDVVRFLDWHGZLWKDQXPEHU of breathing illnesses, such as bronchitis and cancers. In addition, air pollution has negative impacts on our environment, both in terms of direct effects of pollutants on vegetation, and indirectly through effects on the acid and nutrient status of soils and waters.

At local level, air pollution policy is focused on the potential impacts on human health, whilst at a European level the concerns extend to biodiversity and wildlife.

Local Air Quality Management

7KHPRVWUHFHQW1DWLRQDO$LU4XDOLW\6WUDWHJ\ 1$46 ZDVSXEOLVKHGLQ-XO\ '()5$ 7KLV 6WUDWHJ\VHWVRXWREMHFWLYHVDQGPHDVXUHVIRUQLQH main air pollutants to further improve ambient air TXDOLW\LQWKH8.IURPWRGD\LQWRWKHORQJWHUP7KH 6WUDWHJ\¶VSULPDU\REMHFWLYHLVWRHQVXUHSROOXWLQJ HPLVVLRQVFDXVHQRVLJQL¿FDQWULVNWRKHDOWKDQG WKHHQYLURQPHQWEXWPHGLXPWHUPREMHFWLYHVDUH set for individual pollutants, expressed as maximum FRQFHQWUDWLRQVWREHDFKLHYHGE\VSHFL¿HGGDWHV7KH nine pollutants are: benzene, 1,3-butadene, carbon Image 5b: Air pollution from boat emissions monoxide, lead, nitrogen dioxide, polycyclic aromatic Source: EEMP K\GURFDUERQV 3$+V R]RQHSDUWLFXODWHV 3010 DQG sulphur dioxide. However, not all of these pollutants are regarded as a threat for the Estuary.

The main pollutants affecting human health and wildlife around the Estuary are:

Nitrogen dioxide 122 LVDWR[LFSROOXWDQW,WVPDLQVRXUFHORFDOO\LVURDGWUDI¿FEXWLWLVDOVRHPLWWHG from marine diesel engines on the Estuary. This gas can irritate the airways of the lungs, increasing the V\PSWRPVRIWKRVHVXIIHULQJIURPOXQJGLVHDVHV1LWURJHQGLR[LGHFDQDOVREULQJDERXWDFLGL¿FDWLRQRI water and add to the nitrogen loading in soil.

Particulates 3010 DUHSROOXWDQWSDUWLFOHVXSWRPLFURQVLQVL]H7KH\FDQKDYHDQLPSDFWRQWKH respiratory system and can carry carcinogenic compounds. In high levels, they could affect plant photosynthesis.

Ozone is a powerful oxidising agent which can affect the respiratory system and can be a threat for humans and wildlife. The chemicals that react in sunlight to produce this gas are capable of travelling long distances and could come from other parts of Europe. The main chemicals involved in this reaction are nitrogen dioxide and volatile organic compounds. The latter are released from, among other things, SDLQWVDQGYDUQLVKHVODEHOOHGDV³+LJK92&FRQWHQW´RIWHQXVHGLQERDWPDLQWHQDQFH7KHFRQFHQWUDWLRQ of ozone is greater on high ground and on still warm days, where there is very little air movement and intense sun.

State of the Exe Estuary 2014 | 117 Environmental Quality

Local Authorities and Air Pollution around the Exe Estuary

Part IV of the Environment Act 1995 introduced the concept of Local Air Quality Management. Local Authorities are required to review and assess Air Quality in their area every three years against a range of standards and REMHFWLYHV:KHUHREMHFWLYHVDUHQRWOLNHO\WREHDFKLHYHGWKHQWKHORFDODXWKRULW\LVUHTXLUHGWRGHVLJQDWHDQ $LU4XDOLW\0DQDJHPHQW$UHD $40$ DJHRJUDSKLFDUHDGH¿QHGE\KLJKOHYHOVRISROOXWLRQDQGH[FHHGHQFHV RI1DWLRQDO$LU4XDOLW\6WUDWHJ\REMHFWLYHVDQGSUHSDUHDQ$FWLRQ3ODQWRWDFNOHWKHSUREOHPV7KHUHDUHQR AQMAs within the management boundary of the Exe Estuary Management Partnership.

Although nitrogen dioxide and particulates levels are monitored by local authorities, the other important pollutant, ozone, is not currently monitored.

The quality of the air around the Exe Estuary is relatively good compared to more urban locations nearby. 7KHUHDUHQRVLJQL¿FDQWLQGXVWULDOSURFHVVHVDORQJWKH(VWXDU\7KH0DUVK%DUWRQ7UDGLQJ$UHDLVWKHRQO\ potential source of industrial pollution other than unmonitored marine business and commercial transport, and therefore industrial air pollution is not really considered to be an issue for the Exe Estuary. Monitoring at the OHYHORIWKH([H(VWXDU\0DQDJHPHQW3DUWQHUVKLSERXQGDU\LVQRWVHHQDVDSULRULW\DQGGDWDLVRIWHQGLI¿FXOW WRREWDLQ'DWDFDQXVXDOO\EHREWDLQHGDWGLVWULFWOHYHOZKLFKGRHVQRWQHFHVVDULO\UHÀHFWWKHDFWXDOTXDOLW\RI air on the Exe Estuary. The following is a breakdown of air pollution management within the districts around the Exe Estuary.

East Devon District Council

,Q(DVW'HYRQ'LVWULFW&RXQFLOFDUULHGRXWDIXOOUHYLHZDQGDVVHVVPHQWRIDLU

quality. Monitoring of NO2 using passive diffusion tubes has shown that for 2011 there ZHUHVHYHQVLWHVZKHUHWKHDQQXDOPHDQ$LU4XDOLW\2EMHFWLYHZDVH[FHHGHG LH FDXVHIRUFRQFHUQ 2IWKHVHYHQVLWHV¿YHZHUHORFDWHGZLWKLQWKHH[LVWLQJ$40$ The two sites outside of the existing AQMA are located within Honiton. In 2013 detailed

assessment of NO2HPLVVLRQVIURPURDGWUDI¿FZDVDOVRXQGHUWDNHQLQ$[PLQVWHU&O\VW St George and Sowton Lodge in order to determine if any new AQMA needs to be declared. However, the report stated that there was no requirement for an AQMA to be declared in these areas at this time. There are several large developments being undertaken in the District as part of the Exeter and East Devon Growth Plan and several air quality assessments have been undertaken for particular elements of WKHSODQ$OOFRQFOXGHWKDWWKHQHZGHYHORSPHQWVZLOOQRWOHDGWRDQ\H[FHHGHQFHVRIWKH$LU4XDOLW\2EMHFWLYHV

Teignbridge District Council

7HLJQEULGJH'LVWULFW&RXQFLOKDVGHVLJQDWHGIRXU$40$VDVDUHVXOWRI DLUTXDOLW\SROOXWDQWVH[FHHGLQJWKHREMHFWLYHVDWUHVLGHQWLDOUHFHSWRUV on some roads within the district. The AQMAs were declared in 1RYHPEHULQWKHWRZQVRI1HZWRQ$EERW.LQJVNHUVZHOO 7HLJQPRXWKDQG'DZOLVK7UDI¿FHPLVVLRQVKDYHEHHQLGHQWL¿HGDV the primary source of these exceedences. In March 2009, Teignbridge has produced an Air Quality Action Plan setting out measures to be introduced to improve the air quality in the affected areas.

7KHODVW8SGDWLQJDQG6FUHHQLQJ$VVHVVPHQW 86$ ZDVLQ7KH122GLIIXVLRQWXEHVLGHQWL¿HG QXPHURXVH[FHHGHQFHVRIWKHDQQXDOPHDQREMHFWLYHZLWKLQWKHH[LVWLQJ$40$VFRQ¿UPLQJWKHQHHGRIWKHLU HVWDEOLVKPHQW7HLJQEULGJH'LVWULFW&RXQFLOVHWXSDVPDOOZRUNLQJJURXSZKLFKLQFOXGHGWUDQVSRUWSODQQHUV IURP'HYRQ&RXQW\&RXQFLODVWKHVRXUFHRIWKHSROOXWLRQKDGEHHQLGHQWL¿HGDVURDGWUDI¿F7UDQVSRUWUHODWHG schemes were discussed at these meetings and possible actions proposed. Measures aimed at relieving congestion and air quality were also included in the Local Transport Plan.

118 | State of the Exe Estuary 2014 Environmental Quality

Exeter City Council

,Q)HEUXDU\([HWHU&LW\&RXQFLOGHVLJQDWHG¿YH$40$VORFDWHGRQWKH PDLQURXWHVLQWRWKHFLW\,QQHZDUHDVZHUHLGHQWL¿HGDQGLQ$SULOWKH &LW\&RXQFLORSWHGWRGHVLJQDWHDVLQJOH$40$FRYHULQJDOOWKHH[LVWLQJDQGQHZ $40$V$QDVVHVVPHQWXQGHUWDNHQLQODWHFRQ¿UPHGWKDWWKHVRXUFHRI H[FHHGHQFHVLQWKHVLQJOH$40$ZDVQLWURJHQGLR[LGHIURPURDGWUDI¿F7KH¿UVW ([HWHU$LU4XDOLW\$FWLRQ3ODQ $4$3 ZDVSXEOLVKHGLQ$XJXVWFRQWDLQLQJPHDVXUHVWKDWZHUHLQWHQGHG WRUHGXFHWKHSROOXWLRQFRQFHQWUDWLRQVZLWKLQWKH$40$$FFRUGLQJWRWKH&LW\&RXQFLOPRVWRIPHDVXUHVZHUH LPSOHPHQWHGGHVSLWHIXQGLQJDQGRWKHUFRQVWUDLQWV,Q([HWHU&LW\&RXQFLOSXEOLVKHGWKH$LU4XDOLW\ Progress Report including all the latest air quality assessments and monitoring results for 2012. The report concluded that there are no exceedences of the Government’s guideline levels, except within the existing Air 4XDOLW\0DQDJHPHQW$UHD $40$ DQGWKDWWKHERXQGDULHVRIWKLVDUHDUHPDLQDSSURSULDWH

%HFDXVHRIWKHQHZKRXVLQJGHYHORSPHQWVRQWKHHGJHRI([HWHUWUDI¿FOHYHOVLQWKHFLW\DUHOLNHO\WRLQFUHDVH RYHUWKHQH[W\HDUV:LWKWKHLQWHQWLRQRIUHGXFLQJWKHHIIHFWVRIQHZDQGH[LVWLQJWUDI¿F([HWHUSURGXFHG LQFRQMXQFWLRQZLWKLQWHUHVWHGSDUWLHVVXFKDV'HYRQ&RXQW\&RXQFLO '&& WKH6HFRQG$4$3LQODWH 0DQ\RIWKHPRVWVLJQL¿FDQWPHDVXUHVFRPHIURP'&&/RFDO7UDQVSRUW3ODQDQGRWKHUVKDYHEHHQGUDZQIURP WKH(QYLURQPHQW6WUDWHJ\IRU([HWHURUIURP([HWHU¶V&OLPDWH&KDQJHDQG$LU4XDOLW\6WUDWHJLHV,QFUHDVLQJ awareness, cycling and walking; supporting car clubs and car sharing; more travel plans; and more park and ride sites around the city are measures proposed to bring about a progressive improvement in air quality. 6RXUFH([HWHU&LW\&RXQFLO

,PSURYHPHQWVWRYHKLFOHWHFKQRORJ\ HQJLQHDQGH[KDXVWV\VWHPV WRJHWKHUZLWKPRUHHQYLURQPHQWDOO\IULHQGO\ IXHOV UHVXOWLQJIURP(XURSHDQOHJLVODWLRQ DUHOLNHO\WREULQJDERXWDSURJUHVVLYHLPSURYHPHQWLQDLUTXDOLW\7KH use of older marine diesel engines could well mean that boating activity will then become the most polluting activity on the Estuary. However, because air does not stop at management frontiers, the Estuary’s air quality will also be affected by transboundary pollution caused by a multitude of other sources.

Local Air Quality Management Programme Model Estimates

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HVWLPDWLRQRIDLUSROOXWLRQOHYHOV VHH)LJXUHVDIRU122 7KHPRGHOXVHVHVWLPDWHVRIWKHFRQFHQWUDWLRQVRI nitrogen dioxide and particulates for every square kilometre of Britain. Information from a number of weather VWDWLRQVDQG¿HOGVWXGLHVKDVEHHQDQDO\VHGWRSURYLGHDQLQGLFDWRURIDLUSROOXWLRQOHYHOVQRZDQGLQWKHIXWXUH The model assumes that concentrations of pollutants are consistent over the whole square kilometre.

Nitrogen Dioxide

Around the Estuary, levels of nitrogen dioxide have always been higher near the city of Exeter, which is the PDLQVRXUFHRISROOXWDQWVIURPWUDI¿F,QDQGDOODUHDVDURXQGWKH([H(VWXDU\ZHUHUHFRUGHGDV having relatively high concentrations of nitrogen dioxide. The centre of the Estuary had lower concentrations GXHWRLWVGLVWDQFHIURPVRXUFHVRIWUDI¿FSROOXWLRQDQGDKLJKHUZLQGVSHHGLQWKH(VWXDU\FKDQQHO&XUUHQW estimations of nitrogen dioxide concentrations show improvements throughout the area of the Exe Estuary 0DQDJHPHQW%RXQGDU\ZKLFKDUHH[SHFWHGWRFRQWLQXHLQWR7KHVHSURMHFWLRQVDUHEDVHGRQWKHPRGHO which assumes that pollutants from vehicle combustion engines will reduce over time.

5HVXOWVIURPWKH'()5$VSRQVRUHG1DWLRQDO(QYLURQPHQWDO7HFKQRORJ\&HQWUH 1(7&(1 JLYHDQHVWLPDWLRQ of background levels of air pollution and show that, in comparison with the Severn and Solent Estuaries, NO2 OHYHOVRQWKH([HDUHUHODWLYHO\ORZ7KLVLVEHFDXVHURDGWUDI¿FLVDPXFKPRUHLQÀXHQWLDOIDFWRURQWKH6HYHUQ and the Solent. Please see Figure 5a for an estimation of nitrogen dioxide levels around the Exe Estuary.

State of the Exe Estuary 2014 | 119 Environmental Quality

""""""""""""""" """"""""""""""" """Exeter"""""""""""" """"Exeter""""""""""" """"""""""""""" """"""""""""""" """"""""""""""" """"""""""""""" Topsham i """""""""Topsham"""i""" """"""""""""""" """"""""""""""" """"""""""""""" """"""""""""""" """Exminster"""""""""""" """"Exminster""""""""""" """"""""""Lympstone""""" """""""""""Lympstone"""" """"""""""""""" """"""" """""" """"""" """""" """"""""""""""" """"""""""""""" """""""" """""" """""""" """Exmouth""" """"""""" """Exmouth" """"""""" """" """"""""" " """"""""" " """""""" """"""Dawlish"" """"""Dawlish" """"""" NO2 concentrations:2010 NO2 concentrations:2015 """"""""""""""" """"""""""""""" """"Exeter""""""""""" """"""""""""""" """""""""Topsham"""i""" Results from the Local Air Quality Management Programme (DEFRA 2014) start in 1997 and """"""""""""""" give an estimation of air pollution levels. """"""""""""""" The mode used estimates the concentration of """"Exminster""""""""""" nitrogen dioxide and particulates for every square Lympstone kilometre of Britain.Information from a number of """"""""""""""" weather stations and field studies has been analysed """"""" """""" to provide an idea of air pollution now and in the future. The model assumes that concentrations are """"""""""""""" consistent over the whole square kilometre. """""""" """""" """"""""" """Exmouth" """"""""" " """""""" """""""Dawlish Exmouth

NO2 concentrations:2020 -3 Key NO2 concentration (ȝgm ) EEMP Boundary Less than 5 Tidal Water 5 - 10 Tidal Water 10 - 15 15 - 20 20 - 30 Figure 5a: Estimated background annual mean air pollutant concentrations 2010 - 2020: Nitrogen Dioxide © Crown copyright. All rights reserved. Source: DCC 2014 background mapping. DEFRA 2014 data. 100019783. 2014

120 | State of the Exe Estuary 2014 Environmental Quality

5.2 Water Quality

Water quality of the Exe Estuary is good, and to ensure that its remains so, international, national and local statutory requirements are in place and implemented around the Estuary.

Water quality is crucial to life in and around the Estuary. Poor water quality affects people and wildlife and has serious consequences for the local economy. If water quality were to be compromised, the sectors at the KLJKHVWULVNRQWKH(VWXDU\DUHWKHVKHOO¿VKDQGWRXULVPLQGXVWU\

Water Directives

Image 5c: Exe Estuary Mussels Image 5e: Bathers at Dawlish Warren Source: EEMP Source: EEMP

Image 5d: Sampling sea water Source: Environment Agency

State of the Exe Estuary 2014 | 121 Environmental Quality

Water Framework Directive

7KH:DWHU)UDPHZRUN'LUHFWLYH :)' (XURSHDQ3DUOLDPHQW UHTXLUHVDOOLQODQGDQGFRDVWDOZDWHUV WRUHDFKµJRRG¶VWDWXVE\+RZHYHUSURYLGHGWKDWFHUWDLQFRQGLWLRQVDUHVDWLV¿HGLQVRPHFDVHVWKH achievement of good status may be delayed until 2021 or 2027. The waters in England have been broken down into water bodies for the purposes of River Basin Management Planning, thus recognising the importance of WKHHQWLUHFDWFKPHQWDQGKRZWKLVPD\DIIHFWHVWXDULQHZDWHUV7KH3ODQVZHUH¿UVWSXEOLVKHGLQDQGZLOO EHXSGDWHGLQ7KHVWDWXVDQGREMHFWLYHVIRUHDFKZDWHUERG\LQFOXGLQJWKH([H(VWXDU\FDQEH IRXQGLQWKH6RXWK:HVW5LYHU%DVLQ0DQDJHPHQW3ODQ (QYLURQPHQW$JHQF\

7KH:)'DOVRVSHFL¿HVWKDWDUHDVUHTXLULQJVSHFLDOSURWHFWLRQXQGHURWKHU(&'LUHFWLYHVDQGZDWHUVXVHGIRU WKHDEVWUDFWLRQRIGULQNLQJZDWHUDUHLGHQWL¿HGDV3URWHFWHG$UHDV7KHVHDUHDVKDYHWKHLURZQREMHFWLYHVDQG VWDQGDUGV0HHWLQJWKHLUUHTXLUHPHQWVZLOODOVRKHOSDFKLHYH:DWHU)UDPHZRUN'LUHFWLYHREMHFWLYHV

The types of protected areas are:

Drinking Water Protected Areas - areas designated for the abstraction of water for human consumption; )UHVKZDWHU)LVKDQG6KHOO¿VKDUHDVGHVLJQDWHGIRUWKHSURWHFWLRQRIHFRQRPLFDOO\VLJQL¿FDQW aquatic species; Bathing Waters - bodies of water designated as recreational waters; Nitrate Vulnerable ZonesQXWULHQWVHQVLWLYHDUHDVLGHQWL¿HGXQGHUWKH1LWUDWHV'LUHFWLYH 8UEDQ:DVWH:DWHU7UHDWPHQW'LUHFWLYH 8::7' - areas designated as sensitive; Natura 2000 sites DUHDVGHVLJQDWHGIRUWKHSURWHFWLRQRIKDELWDWVRUVSHFLHV LQFOXGLQJ6SHFLDO $UHDVRI&RQVHUYDWLRQDQG6SHFLDO3URWHFWLRQ$UHDVLQWKH([H(VWXDU\ 7KHPDLQWHQDQFHRU improvement of the status of water is an important factor in their protection.

As a result of the WFD a number of existing European Directives have been or will be replaced, such as the 6KHOO¿VK:DWHUV'LUHFWLYH UHSHDOHGODWH DQGWKH)UHVKZDWHU)LVK'LUHFWLYH

Successful implementation of the WFD will help protect all elements of the water cycle and improve the quality of our groundwaters, rivers, lakes, estuaries and seas.

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7KH(&6KHOO¿VK:DWHUV'LUHFWLYH (& SURWHFWHGVKHOO¿VKZDWHUVLQRUGHUWRVXSSRUWVKHOO¿VKOLIHDQG JURZWKWKHUHIRUHFRQWULEXWLQJWRWKHKLJKTXDOLW\RIVKHOO¿VKSURGXFWVGLUHFWO\HGLEOHE\SHRSOH,WVHWVSK\VLFDO FKHPLFDODQGPLFURELRORJLFDOZDWHUTXDOLW\UHTXLUHPHQWVWKDWGHVLJQDWHGVKHOO¿VKZDWHUVPXVWHLWKHUFRPSO\ ZLWK µPDQGDWRU\¶VWDQGDUGV RUHQGHDYRXUWRPHHW µJXLGHOLQH¶VWDQGDUGV

7KH'LUHFWLYHZDVUHSODFHGLQE\WKH(&:DWHU)UDPHZRUN'LUHFWLYHZKLFKSURYLGHVWKHVDPHOHYHORI SURWHFWLRQWR6KHOO¿VK:DWHU3URWHFWHG$UHDV1.

7KHZKROHRIWKH([H(VWXDU\KDVEHHQGHVLJQDWHGDVµ6KHOO¿VK:DWHU¶XQGHUWKH6XUIDFH:DWHU 6KHOO¿VK &ODVVL¿FDWLRQ 5HJXODWLRQV,QDGGLWLRQVKHOO¿VKEHGVLQWKH(VWXDU\DUHFODVVL¿HGDV%LYDOYH0ROOXVF 3URGXFWLRQ$UHDV %03$ XQGHUWKH)RRG6DIHW\5HJXODWLRQV VHH)LJXUHI

122 | State of the Exe Estuary 2014 Environmental Quality

The risk of contamination of bivalve molluscs with pathogens needs to be controlled in the Bivalve Mollusc 3URGXFWLRQ$UHDVWRVXSSRUWWKHLUOLIHF\FOHDQGFRQWULEXWHWRWKHKLJKTXDOLW\RIVKHOO¿VKSURGXFWVHDWHQE\ SHRSOH/HYHOVRI),2V IDHFDOLQGLFDWRURUJDQLVPVVXFKDVEscherichia coli LQVKHOO¿VKÀHVKDUHXVHGDVDQ indicator of the level of faecal pollution. The Environment Agency regularly test the quality of the water and the ODVWVDQLWDU\VXUYH\RQWKH([H(VWXDU\ZDVXQGHUWDNHQLQODWHE\WKH&HQWUHIRU(QYLURQPHQW)LVKHULHV DQG$TXDFXOWXUH6FLHQFH &()$6 RQEHKDOIRIWKH)RRG6WDQGDUGV$JHQF\ )6$ 7KHUHSRUWSURYLGHVDQ DSSURSULDWHK\JLHQHFODVVL¿FDWLRQ]RQLQJDQGPRQLWRULQJSODQEDVHGRQWKHEHVWDYDLODEOHLQIRUPDWLRQZLWK GHWDLOHGVXSSRUWLQJHYLGHQFH &()$6

6LQFHWKHPDMRULW\RIWKH([H(VWXDU\¶VVKHOO¿VKKDYHEHHQFODVVL¿HGDVµFODVV%¶ZKLFKPHDQVWKDW WKH\FDQEHKDUYHVWHGEXWPXVWEHGHSXUDWHG VRDNHGLQFOHDQZDWHUWRUHPRYHDQ\FRQWDPLQDWLRQ EHIRUH FRQVXPSWLRQ$Q³$´FODVVL¿FDWLRQZDVDZDUGHGIURPWRIRU3DFL¿FR\VWHUVDW3RZGHUKDP3RROVR WKHVKHOO¿VKFDQEHHDWHQZLWKQRSULRUWUHDWPHQWQHFHVVDU\+RZHYHULQDOO3DFL¿F2\VWHUVEHGVZHUH WHPSRUDULO\GHFODVVL¿HGLQWKH(VWXDU\$W6RZGHQ(QGR\VWHUDQGPXVVHOVFODVVL¿FDWLRQVZHUHGRZQJUDGHG WR& RQO\FDQEHVROGIRUKXPDQFRQVXPSWLRQDIWHUUHOD\LQJIRUDWOHDVWWZRPRQWKVLQDQDSSURYHGUHOD\LQJ DUHD GXULQJZKLFKHIIHFWLYHO\HQGHGWKH¿VKHU\KHUH6DPSOLQJRIFRFNOHVDW.LQJV/DNHFHDVHGLQ VRWKLVEHGLVQRZGHFODVVL¿HG LHQRORQJHUFRPPHUFLDOO\DFWLYH 2.

Source: 1 Defra website 2014 and 2&()$6

Bathing Waters Directive

7KH(&%DWKLQJ:DWHUV'LUHFWLYHRXWOLQHVWKHOHJLVODWLRQUHODWLQJWRWKHTXDOLW\RIEDWKLQJZDWHUVLQ(QJODQGDQG :DOHV7KH¿UVWUHYLVHG%DWKLQJ:DWHU'LUHFWLYH (& FDPHLQWRIRUFHRQ0DUFKDQGUHSODFHV WKHFXUUHQW%DWKLQJ:DWHU'LUHFWLYHIURP ((&

7KHRYHUDOOREMHFWLYHRIWKHUHYLVHG'LUHFWLYHLVWKHSURWHFWLRQRISXEOLFKHDOWKZKLOVWEDWKLQJEXWLWDOVRRIIHUV an opportunity to improve management practices and to standardise the information. The Directive introduces DQHZFODVVL¿FDWLRQV\VWHPZLWKPRUHVWULQJHQWZDWHUTXDOLW\VWDQGDUGVDQGSXWVDQHPSKDVLVRQSURYLGLQJ information to the public.

The bathing season continues to be between 15 May and 30 September every year and monitoring frequency remains the same. Water is sampled weekly throughout the season and starts 2 weeks prior to the beginning of the season.

Based on recommendations from the World Health Organisation, since 2012 the revised Directive uses two microbiological parameters to assess water quality. In place of coliform and faecal Streptococci standards, the revised directive sets standards for Escherichia coli and intestinal enterococci. However, together with the monitoring of the new bacterial entities, during the period of 2012 to 2014 the Environment Agency will continue WRUHSRUWFRPSOLDQFHDOVRDJDLQVWWKHVWDQGDUGVLQWKH'LUHFWLYHDVLQSUHYLRXVVHDVRQV7DEOH$VKRZV how compliance is determined.

Fail Minimum Higher Escherichia coli FRORQLHV >2,000 =2,000 =100 SHUPO Intestinal enterococci - - =100 FRORQLHVSHUPO Fails E. coli ‘I’ standards Passes E. coli ‘I’ stand- Passes E. coli ‘G’ and ards but fails at least one Intestinal enterococci ‘G’ standard standards

Table 5a: (&FXUUHQW%DWKLQJZDWHUFRPSOLDQFHFODVVL¿FDWLRQ * JXLGHOLQHYDOXHV, LPSHUDWLYHYDOXHV Source: South West Water and EA 2014

State of the Exe Estuary 2014 | 123 Environmental Quality

The second revised Bathing Water Directive will be fully implemented in 2015 and by this time all bathing ZDWHUVZLOOKDYHWRPHHWWKHPXFKPRUHVWULQJHQWVWDQGDUGVRIWKHQHZ'LUHFWLYH7KHQHZEDWKLQJZDWHU SUR¿OHVZLOOLQFOXGHPDSVSRWHQWLDOVRXUFHVRISROOXWLRQVDPSOLQJSRLQWVSKRWRVDQGOLQNVWRWKHODWHVWZDWHU TXDOLW\UHVXOWVWRKHOSWKHSXEOLFPDNHPRUHLQIRUPHGFKRLFHVDERXWWKHEHVWORFDWLRQVWRYLVLWDQGHQMR\7KHUH will be also four new classes for bathing waters. These will be:

Excellent: approximately twice as stringent as the current guideline standard. Good: broadly equivalent to the current guideline standard. 6XI¿FLHQW will be approximately twice as stringent as a current mandatory pass. Poor:WKRVHZDWHUVZKLFKDUHEHORZWKHVXI¿FLHQWFODVVL¿FDWLRQ%DWKLQJZDWHUVFODVVL¿HGDVSRRUZLOOFDUU\ DGYLFHDJDLQVWEDWKLQJWKURXJKRXWWKHIROORZLQJVHDVRQ,IDEDWKLQJZDWHUUHPDLQVFODVVL¿HGDVSRRUIRU consecutive seasons the advice will become permanent.

Bathing Water Quality around the Exe Estuary

7KHUHDUHIRXUEDWKLQJZDWHUVDURXQGWKH([H(VWXDU\GHVLJQDWHGXQGHUWKH'LUHFWLYH((& &RXQFLORI WKH(XURSHDQ&RPPXQLWLHV ZKRVHZDWHUTXDOLW\LVUHJXODUO\PRQLWRUHG VHH)LJXUHE

8VLQJWKH(QYLURQPHQW$JHQF\³%DWKLQJ:DWHU'DWD([SORUH´DSSOLFDWLRQWKHSUR¿OHIRUHDFKGHVLJQDWHG Bathing Water in England and Wales can be accessed. The records since 2008 for each beach around the Estuary are summarised below.

Dawlish Town Beach From 2007 to 2012 Dawlish Town has been recorded “Minimum” quality bathing water. In 2013 the water quality showed dramatic improvement and the beach now meets the quality threshold under the current Bathing Waters Directive, with a “Higher” result.

Dawlish Warren Beach Between 2008 and 2013 the beach at Dawlish Warren has consistently had ‘Higher’ quality bathing water.

Exmouth Beach Exmouth beach is recorded to have “Failed” the Directive Standards in 2008 and 2012, and to KDYHUHDFKHGWKH³0LQLPXP´VWDQGDUGLQ,QDQGLQWKHODVWVHDVRQ WKHEDWKLQJZDWHUTXDOLW\ ZDVFODVVL¿HGDV³+LJKHU´(QYLURQPHQW$JHQF\EDWKLQJZDWHULQYHVWLJDWLRQVXVLQJD'1$WUDFLQJWHFKQLTXH VXJJHVWWKHPDMRULW\RIIDHFDOLQGLFDWRUEDFWHULDDW([PRXWK7RZQ%HDFKDUHIURPFRZV

Sandy Bay From 2001 to 2013 the bathing water quality was recorded as ‘Higher’, except in 2008 and 2010 when quality dropped to “Minimum”.

It is worth noting that the quality of the bathing waters may be adversely affected by several events, such as: UDLQZDWHUUXQQLQJRIIURDGVVWUHHWVDQGIDUPODQGRSHUDWLRQRIDVHZHUVWRUPVRYHUÀRZVPLVFRQQHFWLRQRI domestic waste water pipes; and even dog faeces washed off from pavements and beaches.

124 | State of the Exe Estuary 2014 Environmental Quality

Exeter i

Clyst St Mary

Topsham

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Woodbury Exminster Exton Kennford Lympstone Barracks Kenn T h e Lympstone E x e

Kenton a

r y Budleigh Salterton Exmouth Starcross

Cockwood ! ! Sandy Bay ! Exmouth Dawlish Dawlish Warren Warren

Dawlish !Dawlish Town The English Channel

0120.5 Teignmouth Kilometers Key Microbiological standard of bathing beaches in 2013 Settlements Land ! Higher Water EEMP Boundary

State of the Exe Estuary 2014 | 125 Environmental Quality

5LYHU4XDOLW\ZLWKLQWKH([H&DWFKPHQW

Good water quality within the Exe Estuary can only be achieved if the water quality is also good upstream. The quality of river water within the whole catchment is an essential factor affecting people and wildlife, and monitoring is regularly carried out by the Environment Agency through the Water Framework Monitoring Programme.

The monitoring programme used to inform the River Basin Management Plans is based on a wider range of assessments and elements which are measured in each waterbody. For surface waters, good status is a statement of ‘overall status’, and has an ecological and a chemical component. Good ecological status is measured on the scale High, Good, Moderate, Poor and Bad&KHPLFDOVWDWXVLVPHDVXUHGDV*RRGRU)DLO 7KHFODVVL¿FDWLRQLVSURGXFHGEDVHGRQDµRQHRXWDOORXW¶SULQFLSOH7KLVXVHVWKHSRRUHVWLQGLYLGXDOHOHPHQW UHVXOWWRVHWWKHRYHUDOOFODVVL¿FDWLRQ

7KH([H&DWFKPHQWLVFRPSULVHGRI5LYHUZDWHUERGLHV/DNHZDWHUERGLHV7UDQVLWLRQDOZDWHUERG\ &RDVWDOZDWHUERG\DQG&DQDOV,QWKHEDVHOLQHFODVVL¿FDWLRQ EDVHGRQWRGDWD 20 waterbodies were at Good Ecological Status, 34 at Moderate, 22 at Poor and 3 at Bad. Failures are FRQFHQWUDWHGDURXQGWKH&O\VW&XOP&UHHG\DQGRiver Exe catchment and whether this has improved, declined or stayed the same between 2008 and 2012.

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Diffuse source pollution from mixed agricultural run-off 3RLQWVRXUFHVHZDJHGLVFKDUJHV±:DWHU&RPSDQ\,QGXVWU\ 3K\VLFDO0RGL¿FDWLRQ±)ORRG8UEDQLVDWLRQ,PSRXQGPHQW 3K\VLFDO0RGL¿FDWLRQ±%DUULHUVWR)LVK0LJUDWLRQ 'LIIXVHVRXUFH±8UEDQ

7KH(QYLURQPHQW$JHQF\KDVFDUULHGRXWLQYHVWLJDWLRQVLQDVLJQL¿FDQWQXPEHURIZDWHUERGLHVZLWKLQWKH6RXWK West River Basin District. This has given the EA a better understanding of what is causing failures in each ZDWHUERG\$OVRWKHDJHQF\KDVFDUULHGRXWDQXPEHURIV\VWHPDWLFFDWFKPHQWZDONRYHUVLQWKH([H&DWFKPHQW to get a better understanding of the potential sources of sediment and nutrients.

7KH([H(VWXDU\ZDWHUERG\IDLOVIRU'LVVROYHG,QRUJDQLF1LWURJHQ ',1 XQGHUWKH:DWHU)UDPHZRUN'LUHFWLYH :)' +RZHYHUPDFURDOJDHDQGSK\WRSODQNWRQPRQLWRULQJGDWDLQGLFDWHWKDWWKHKLJKQLWURJHQOHYHOVDUH not causing a biological eutrophication problem. This is consistent with the conclusions of previous nutrient LQYHVWLJDWLRQVIRUWKH+DELWDWVDQG8UEDQ:DVWH:DWHU7UHDWPHQW'LUHFWLYHV7KLVLVDOVRUHÀHFWHGLQWKH provisional weight of evidence guidance which indicates that the Exe Estuary is at low risk of a biological eutrophication problem.

The cause of the DIN failure is thought to be a combination of diffuse agriculture, point source sewage and VRPHGLIIXVHXUEDQ SRVVLEO\LQFOXGLQJXQVHZHUHGGRPHVWLFZDVWH

_6WDWHRIWKH([H(VWXDU\ Environmental Quality

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Kingsteignton Teignmouth 02461 ! ! Kilometers Key © Crown copyright. All rights reserved. EEMP Boundary 100019783. 2014 Catchment of River Exe ! Location of Settlement Land Water Figure 5c: Exe Water Framework Directive Compliance: current condition and changes 2008 - 2012 Source: DCC 2014 and OS 2014 background mapping. EA 2014 data

State of the Exe Estuary 2014 | 127 Environmental Quality

Nitrogen and Phosphorous Loading

High levels of nitrogen and phosphorous in a water course can cause excessive plant growth which has a number of negative effects in a water body, including the reduction of the oxygen content of the water - when the plant matter decomposes and can cause other organisms to die. This process is called ‘eutrophication’. 1LWUDWHSROOXWLRQLVDOVRDFRQFHUQEHFDXVHLWFDQPDNHZDWHUXQ¿WIRUGULQNLQJZLWKRXWDGGLWLRQDOSUHWUHDWPHQW and can damage the aquatic environment.

Phosphorous enters river and estuarine waters through soil erosion and sewage discharge, whilst nitrogen originates from fertiliser application, manure, and atmospheric deposition.

,Q(XURSHDGRSWHGWKH1LWUDWHV'LUHFWLYH (XURSHDQ&RPPLVVLRQ (DFK(XURSHDQFRXQWU\PXVW UHYLHZWKH'LUHFWLYHUHJXODUO\DQGWKHODWHVW8.UHYLHZFDPHLQWRIRUFHLQ0D\,WLVDQHQYLURQPHQWDO measure designed to reduce water pollution by nitrate from agricultural sources and to prevent such pollution RFFXUULQJLQWKHIXWXUH8QGHUWKLV'LUHFWLYH RIWKH8.LQFOXGLQJWKH5LYHU([H XSSHUFDWFKPHQW DQGWKHZHVWVLGHRIWKH([H(VWXDU\LVFODVVL¿HGDVDµ1LWUDWH9XOQHUDEOH=RQH¶ )LJXUHG ZKLFKPHDQVWKDW it is an area of land known to be draining into nitrate polluted waters. Farms located within Nitrate Vulnerable Zones are required to adhere to an Action Programme of measures to reduce the amount of nitrate lost from their land to these waters.

Pollution Incidents on the Exe Estuary

The Environment Agency responded to a small number of minor pollution incidents on the Exe Estuary between 2005 and 2013. Most of the incidents consisted of sewage leaks or discharges which exceeded consent limits, but there was one occasion in 2009 where fuel and oil from 0DUVK%DUWRQZDVPHQWLRQHGWRKDYHFDXVHGVLJQL¿FDQW impact on land and water.

Source: Environment Agency 2014

Image 5f: Sewage discharge on the Exe Estuary Source: EEMP

128 | State of the Exe Estuary 2014 Environmental Quality

Barle i

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! South Molton Taunton m er ! th a B Wellington

! Exe an m ow Culm Tiverton L ! m r t

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h North Tawton Exe ! Crediton S ! Culm ! Honiton Clyst ok Yeo Bro Cre ny ed an y Cr N Ottery St.Mary o For ! r d Strm th B

r Exeter o ! o A k lphin B ro Grindle Brook ok Exeter Ship Topsham ! Sidmouth Canal ! Polly Bro Kenn ok

Budleigh Salterton ! Exmouth ! D a w lis h W ate Dawlish r !

Kingsteignton Teignmouth 02461 ! ! Kilometers Key ! Location of Settlement Catchment of River Exe Land Main Rivers Tidal Water Nitrate Vulnerable Zone Inter tidal Zone EEMP Boundary

State of the Exe Estuary 2014 | 129 Environmental Quality

5.3 Waste Management & Recycling

7KH8.LVZRUNLQJWRZDUGVDKRXVHKROGUHF\FOLQJUDWHRIE\7KLVWDUJHWZDVVHWE\WKH(XURSHDQ Union and is contained in the revised Waste Framework Directive. In 2011/12 Devon’s household recycling rate ZDV7KLVSODFHG'HYRQ&RXQW\&RXQFLOZLWKLQWKHWRS¿YHSHUIRUPLQJGLVSRVDODXWKRULWLHVLQWKHFRXQWU\ DQGH[FHHGHGWKHQDWLRQDOUHF\FOLQJUDWHRI

For the three district local authorities bordering the Exe Estuary, recycling performance varies. In 2011/12, ([HWHU&LW\&RXQFLODFKLHYHGDUHF\FOLQJUDWH(DVW'HYRQDFKLHYHGDQG7HLJQEULGJHUHPDLQVRQHRI WKHKLJKHVWSHUIRUPLQJDXWKRULWLHVLQWKHFRXQWU\DFKLHYLQJ

In recent years, Devon local authorities have worked hard to improve recycling opportunities for residents. Over RI'HYRQUHVLGHQWVQRZKDYHDNHUEVLGHUHF\FOLQJFROOHFWLRQIRUGU\UHF\FODEOHVVXFKDVQHZVSDSHUJODVV DQGFDQV2UJDQLFUHF\FOLQJFROOHFWLRQVIRUJDUGHQDQGRUIRRGZDVWHDUHDYDLODEOHWRRIUHVLGHQWV,Q DGGLWLRQWRUHF\FOLQJRSSRUWXQLWLHVIURPKRPHWKHUHDUHQRZ'HYRQ5HF\FOLQJ&HQWUHVIRUEXON\KRXVHKROG ZDVWH7KHRYHUDOOUHF\FOLQJUDWHIURPWKHVHIDFLOLWLHVDORQHLV+RPHFRPSRVWLQJUHPDLQVDSRSXODUDQG well supported activity. All Devon authorities currently offer subsidised home compost bins to residents.

'HVSLWH'HYRQ¶VUHF\FOLQJVXFFHVVWKHUHDUHVWLOOVLJQL¿FDQWFKDOOHQJHVDKHDGWRUHGXFHWKHDPRXQWRIZDVWH SURGXFHGDQGVHQWWRODQG¿OO3XEOLFDZDUHQHVVRIWKHQHHGWRUHGXFHUHXVHDQGUHF\FOHZDVWHLVGHOLYHUHG through the award winning ‘Don’t Let Devon Go to Waste’ campaign. Now in its 10th year, the campaign tackles waste issues through a series of targeted campaigns such as ‘Love Food Hate Waste’ and ‘Junk Mail’. Educating children has also become an essential part of Devon’s long term strategy to achieving a more sustainable future. Over the past eight years, Devon local authorities have been working closely with schools to deliver waste education work directly. Between 2011 and 2012, Waste Educators delivered 252 days of waste education in schools.

:KLOVWWKHDPRXQWRIZDVWHUHF\FOHGFRQWLQXHVWRLQFUHDVH VHH)LJXUHI DQGUHFHQWGHFUHDVHVLQWKHWRWDO ZDVWHSURGXFHG VHH)LJXUHH DUHZHOFRPHG'HYRQDXWKRULWLHVZLOOFRQWLQXHWRZRUNZLWKUHVLGHQWVWRUHGXFH the amount of waste produced.

75000 East Devon

Exeter

70000 Teignbridge

65000

60000 Tonnes / year Tonnes

55000

50000 2010-2011 2010-2011 2005-2006 2006-2007 2007-2008 Year 2008-2009 2009-2010

Figure 5e: District level changes in the volume of household waste arising: 2005 - 2011 6RXUFH'$:55&$QQXDO6WDWLVWLFV5HSRUWV

130 | State of the Exe Estuary 2014 Environmental Quality

25 East Devon Exeter Recycling rate (% of total waste) 20 Teignbridge 15 2010-2011 2010-2011 2005-2006 2006-2007 2007-2008 2008-2009 2009-2010 Year

Figure 5e: District level changes in the proportion of household waste that is recycled: 2005 - 2011 6RXUFH'&&

7KHODVW(QJODQG:DVWH6WUDWHJ\ZDVUHYLVHGLQE\'()5$DQGWKHPDLQREMHFWLYHLVWKHSURWHFWLRQ of human health and the environment by producing less waste and by using it as a resource wherever possible. The ‘Waste Hierarchy’ became the guide for planning authorities on assessing the Best Practicable (QYLURQPHQWDO2SWLRQWKURXJKPRUHVXVWDLQDEOHZDVWHPDQDJHPHQW±SURPRWLQJZDVWHUHGXFWLRQUHXVH recycling, composting and using waste as a source of energy before disposal. Figure 5d shows the steps of the waste hierarchy, the aim being to increase the proportion of waste which is managed by options towards the WRSRIWKHKLHUDUFK\ LHUHGXFWLRQ

Figure 5g: Waste Hierachy

State of the Exe Estuary 2014 | 131 Environmental Quality

Waste Management and Recycling on the Exe Estuary

Local Authorities provide a number of recycling banks and recycling points in their area. Around the Estuary WKHUHDUHUHF\FOLQJIDFLOLWLHVDW([PRXWK7RSVKDP([PLQVWHU6WDUFURVV'DZOLVK:DUUHQDQG&RFNZRRG7KH provision and maintenance of these bins is the responsibility of the relevant district council.

Recent erosion protection work was undertaken at the Imperial Recreation Ground in Exmouth, which sits on DQROGODQG¿OOWRSUHYHQWZDVWHLQFOXGLQJJODVVDQGEULFNVHPHUJLQJWKURXJKWKHWRSVRLODQGEHLQJZDVKHG onto the foreshore at the Exmouth Local Nature Reserve. Furthermore, a ring of concrete was replaced around WKHJURXQGWRSUHYHQWSROOXWDQWFKHPLFDOVVXFKDVOHDGDQGEHQ]R D S\UHQHOHDNLQJLQWRWKHZDWHU

Litter around the Exe Estuary

Image 5g: 2OGELNHRQWKHPXGÀDWV Image 5h: Rubbish collected at Exmouth Source: EEMP Source: EEMP

The presence of plastic and non-biodegradable materials on the shores of the Exe Estuary is an eyesore and can pose a danger to people and wildlife. Litter arrives on the shoreline from a variety of sources including down the river, from out to sea and from people using the beaches.

Since 2007 regular clean up events have been held around the Estuary, including at Exmouth, Dawlish Warren, ([WRQDQG7RSVKDP7KH([H(VWXDU\0DQDJHPHQW3DUWQHUVKLSRUJDQLVHV&OHDQ8SVDW([PRXWK/RFDO1DWXUH Reserve for members of the public in spring and autumn. The events are very successful, often attracting over 100 volunteers and collecting more than two tonnes of rubbish, much of which is recycled.

'HYRQ:LOGIRZOLQJDQG&RQVHUYDWLRQ$VVRFLDWLRQDOVRFDUU\RXWUHJXODUOLWWHUSLFNVRIKDUGWRUHDFKDUHDVRIWKH Estuary and the Tidy Britain Group organises a beach clean at Dawlish Warren.

132 | State of the Exe Estuary 2014