Urgent 'do not swim' warning after mystery pollutant turns river bright blue at UK beauty spot

Urgent 'do not swim' warning after mystery pollutant turns river bright blue at UK beauty spot The Environment Agency traced the vivid pollutant to an industrial source after it was reported flowing through Littleham Brook, as swimming advice remaining in place while checks continue A bright blue pollutant has sparked an urgent warning for people to stay out of the water at a popular UK beauty spot while tests are carried out. The Environment Agency issued the precaution after the vivid substance was spotted flowing through Littleham Brook in Exmouth, Devon, and towards the sea. Officials said the leak was first reported at around 8.30pm on Friday, with teams sent to investigate where it had come from and whether it posed a risk to the environment or swimmers. The agency later traced the pollutant to an “industrial source” and said the discharge had stopped. But, people were still being advised not to swim at Exmouth beach while the substance continued to move downstream and officials waited for information about its toxicity. The Environment Agency said it had found “no visible environmental impacts” so far and stressed that the incident was not linked to the sewage network. In a post on X, the EA said: “A bright blue substance was reported in Littleham Brook, Exmouth. We attended and found no visible environmental impacts, but issued an advice against bathing as a precaution. “Overnight it was traced to an industrial source, but it has stopped. It is not linked to the sewage network. The pollutant is still moving downstream and is likely to reach the bathing water this afternoon. “We’re awaiting toxicity information, so the advice against bathing on Swimfo remains. We’ll review again later and lift it when safe.” Pictures released by the agency showed the brook transformed by the striking blue substance as officials continued to monitor the water. The warning remained in place while the Environment Agency reviewed the latest information and assessed whether it was safe for people to return to the sea. The agency also explained that water quality at Exmouth can be affected by a much wider area around the brook and the Exe Estuary. It added: “Exmouth bathing water is affected by the catchment surrounding the Littleham Brook, which is approximately 600 hectares, and also by the enormous Exe Estuary catchment which is approximately 150,000 hectares. “The Littleham Brook is four and a half kilometres long and flows southwest from Littleham Village through Green Farm and Maer Farm to Maer Bridge where it is piped under the beach to the sea at Maer Rocks.” The Environment Agency said it would continue to review the bathing advice and lift the warning once it was satisfied it was safe to do so. The incident is currently expected to end on September 15.