Clean & Protect

Overview

Water Quality and Pollution

The River Dart has entered a new era for water quality. For generations the inhabitants of Dartmouth (and Kingswear) flushed their sewage directly into the river which conveniently flowed past their towns. This practice originated back in the Middle Ages and continued, with only marginal improvements, until recently.

Now, however, with the completion of sewage treatment works throughout the River Dart catchment using environmentally-friendly, ultra-violet radiation techniques (i.e. no chemicals), pollution from these discharges has largely disappeared.

Water Safety and Oil Spills

The risk of pollution from a vessel related incident is real and we are duty-bound to be prepared, as best as possible, to respond to such an eventuality.

Litter

Litter is a very visual form of pollution. Whether it is floating on water, scattered along the tideline or lurking out of sight beneath the waves, every piece of floating plastic or tin is a result of someone's action. Litter causes serious harm to wildlife and Dart Estuary Environmental Management (DEEM) is committed to helping clean up the estuary as far as possible.

Marine Crime

Every year thousands of pounds worth of boats and equipment are either stolen from our harbours or damaged by vandals. Together with Dart Harbour and local police, Dart Estuary Environmental Management is working to make the estuary a safer area for everyone.

Coastal Protection

To preserve and sustain coastal environments, measures need to be taken to protect them from influences that would fundamentally change their natures. These include erosion (natural and man-made), flooding and storm events, climate change and the impact of an ever-growing coastal population.