Devon school forced to shut three times due to sewage leaks

He said: "When it rains the effluent comes from a drain situated on public land, beyond our boundary. This untreated sewage then makes its way across our land and entrance into Bidwell Brook, a tributary upstream of the River Dart.

“We have had to close the school and move to online learning on 3 separate occasions (4 school teaching days lost) since December 2023 due to the sewage running through the car park and only entrance.

“This drain also spills onto a public footpath leading to a public play area which is frequently used by children and their carers/families. This leads to pushchairs having to go through contaminated puddles, with children often be seen walking through and even splashing in them!

“Although we do everything we can to keep the school open, due to the spread of the sewage and the amount of time it takes to clear up, sometimes we have no choice but to close the school to keep both pupils and staff safe.“

Every time it rains the school receives a notification via the EA’s automated flood alert system. 

They then inevitably receive a call from the site to say that the drain has lifted and there is sewage running through the car park, with effluent spreading across the area.  

Although SWW staff often work into the night, the clear up operation takes time. Even if the clear up has been completed by the following day, there is reportedly still evidence all over the car park of tissue and faeces from the spillage. The constant running of excess water onto the land is also causing potholes and issues with the surface in the carpark.

“It is simply not good enough“ said Rob Gasson. “I have asked for this issue to be escalated, every time it rains, we all know what is coming. I shouldn’t have to consider closing a school every time it rains."