A number of West Country beaches have been marked as a "pollution risk" following heavy rainfall yesterday (July 4). This means it can be dangerous to enter the water due to contamination.
There are currently 14 beaches in Devon which are considered a risk by Surfers Against Sewage (SAS). This accounts for around 30 per cent of the county's beaches.
The main contributing factor to polluted beaches is urban runoff, which sees fertilizers, pesticides, oil, and untreated human and animal waste all entering waterways, such as rivers. Some experts suggest waiting up to 72 hours before entering the sea again after heavy rain, DevonLive reports.
