WITH reference to Mr Peter Mawer's letter regarding 'Bude sewage concerns' in the 'Post' dated February 26. He mentions the Binhamy Farm development and the 'umbrella of a sewage embargo' back in the day.

Firstly, the new wastewater treatment works at Helebridge have alleviated the problems, secondly the works are not overloaded and do not allow sewage into the sea as the gentleman who happens to reside in Bridgerule states!

All of South West Water's wastewater treatment works are routinely sampled on random days by the Environment Agency. All 'sewage works' have what is called a consent. These are minimum and maximum allowances for effluent discharges to a watercourse. The Environ­ment Agency do not make appointments to turn up and visit these sites!

The company are also monitored over a 24 hour period to comply with The Urban Waste Water Directive (91/271/EEC) which is designed to regulate the discharge of all waste water to the environment, where receiving waters are defined as being sensitive with respect to a particular nutrient. Discharges to these waters should and do not exceed two milligrams per litre total phosphate and/or 15 milligrams per litre total nutrient limits.

As for the 'brown material' and a 'great deal of yellow foam' also mentioned by the gentleman, last year I believe Summerleaze beach was closed, this was due, according to the Environment Agency, from diffuse pollution from the surrounding fields, due to the amount of rain the county suffered, washing soil and any pesticides used in farming into the rivers and streams, and nothing to do with the 'sewage works' at Bude, bearing in mind that the outfall from the works lies some one and a half miles out at sea from the beach at Summerleaze.

As for the suggested enlargement of the sewage works, as the saying goes: "If it isn't broke, don't fix it'. I'm sure the gentleman's comments will work wonders for the tourist trade especially with the lead up to Easter considering its completely unfounded through an obvious lack of knowledge?

Bude.