Sidmouth Bathing Water Quality

Our aim is to publish water quality results as quickly as possible to help keep the community informed. We use the Bactiquick digital device to measure Endotoxin levels in the bathing water. These results show the condition of the water at the time the sample was collected and are not live measurements.

Bactiquick measures the concentration of Endotoxins present in a specific group of bacteria, enabling it to detect a broader spectrum of bacteria than those tested by the Environment Agency, including E. coli, Salmonella typhi, Pseudomonas, Vibrio and Leptospira — all of which can pose health risks.

Results are reported as a simple traffic light system based on the Environment Agency's bathing water quality classifications: Green = ‘Excellent’ and ‘Good’; Orange = ‘Sufficient’; Red = ‘Poor’.

Water quality can change quickly due to rainfall, tides, river flows and weather conditions. The water may therefore be cleaner — or more polluted — than these results indicate by the time you read them, especially if there has been significant rainfall since the test.

Before entering the water, we also recommend checking official sources such as the Surfers Against Sewage ‘Safer Seas & Rivers Service (SSRS)’ app and the Environment Agency's pollution warnings.

These results are provided as an additional source of information to help people make informed decisions. Anyone entering the water does so at their own risk and should consider all available information before doing so.