South West Water pollution - Tina's story

Tina lives in Dawlish and works as a nurse, university lecturer and hypnotherapist, roles that place her in daily contact with people dealing with stress, anxiety and trauma. During the Covid-19 pandemic, when she was working in a hospice and witnessing lots of death and distress, Tina needed somewhere to decompress.

With her local pool closed, she tried sea swimming for the first time, and it quickly became one of the few things that got her through such a difficult time. Tina loved the feeling of the water supporting her, the quiet, the seals and sea birds appearing around her, and the sense of mental balance it gave her. Through those years she swam often, sometimes daily, and the sea became part of her wellbeing routine. 

 
As sewage releases increased, that lifeline became uncertain. Tina began checking tides, weather and sewage alerts before every swim. Some days she would drive to the beach with all her gear, only to realise she couldn’t get in the water. As a nurse, she understood the risks of entering polluted sea water. Tina noticed how the sea looked different compared to before; murkier, foam on the surface, a visible change in colour. The day sanitary products floated past her and a group of friends; they felt they had no choice but to get out immediately and rush home for a shower. 
 
These changes have altered how Tina swims and how her family uses the sea. She rarely puts her head in the water now, and her daughter only paddleboards when conditions are confirmed safe. She describes the collective embarrassment felt locally when tourists arrive to find sewage warnings in place, and a growing anger within the community about the loss of something that belongs to everyone. 
 
Tina said: 
 
“I joined the claim because I realised so many others in our community felt the same way. I’m not doing this for personal gain; I just want my voice to be heard. It feels like something fundamental has been taken from us. Access to clean, safe nature is essential for our wellbeing. We are an island, the sea is all compassing and as island folk, we shouldn’t have to tolerate polluted water in the place we call home.”