Bactiquick water quality testing on Sidmouth Beach.
Pilot road repairs project in the Sid Valley.
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Last week, the Town council’s Environment Cttee met – on Monday 16th March – and the minutes are now out.
Here are the highlights, together with notes:
SIDMOUTH TOWN COUNCIL
Minutes of Sidmouth Town Council’s Environment Committee held in the Council Chamber,
on Monday 16 March 2026
Items for action and funding:
115.1 Robin Goodman gave an informed power point presentation to the Committee about the progress of Bactiquick water quality testing from July 2025 until March 2026. It was reported that the Bactiquick machine was not only quick but reliable with testing results coming out as the same as the Environment Agency. RESOLVED: That the request for funding up to £2500 be approved for the following year.
NOTE: When the ‘Jo in the Water’ documentary came to Sidmouth last Sunday 22nd March, we saw the Bactiquick device in use on Exmouth beach – as referred to in this piece in the Times asking Is it safe to go wild swimming? Find out in 15 minutes.
Last spring, just before its launch in Sidmouth, the Herald looked at this mew device to test Sidmouth seawater quality, As Cllr Ian Barlow, chair of the Environment Cttee said: “Bactiquick is a real-time solution that puts the information in our hands. We want people to be able to enjoy our natural resources safely and make informed decisions about whether to take a dip or not. We are proud to lead the way in rolling it out for our community.”
Here’s a look at how it’s done on Sidmouth beach: Robin’s Water Testing Sunday November 23rd 2025 – YouTube
115.3: Cllr Paul Dodds gave a presentation updating the Committee on the trial for road improvements in the Sid Valley. The trial had been very successful. RESOLVED: That the request for £5000 for the pilot road repairs project for 2026/27 was approved by the Members.
NOTE: We can see how the project was going back in January last year: Project to improve the quality of paths and roads in Sidmouth.
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