'Too much sewage still going into the water' warns Environment Agency

The Environment Agency say the number of times sewage is being pumped into the sea by water companies is falling - but the duration of each spill is lasting longer.

It's called the latest figures 'unacceptably high' as the Ilsham pumping station in Torbay spent 2,000 hours last year spilling sewage - which happened almost every third day on average.

In Plymouth the 'central outlet' spent more than 1,000 hours pumping into the Sound whilst near Bideford the Abbotsham site spilt 329 times.

South West Water says it's investing £760 million to reduce the use of storm overflows in the region and the use has fallen by 93 per cent in places like Rilla Mill in Cornwall.

Environment Secretary Steve Reed said: “These figures are disgraceful and are a stark reminder of how years of underinvestment have led to water companies discharging unacceptable levels of sewage into our rivers, lakes, and seas.

“We’ve already placed water companies under tough special measures through the landmark Water Act, banning unfair bonuses for polluting water bosses and introducing criminal charges for lawbreakers.

“But we will go further and faster. That’s why this government has secured over £100 billion of private sector investment to upgrade our crumbling infrastructure and not only clean up our rivers, lakes and seas for good, but also help deliver economic growth across the country as part of our Plan for Change.” 

South West Water said improvements at Rilla Mill 'follow a targeted investment of nearly £300,000 which has seen a new rapid balance tank installed to store excess flows during heavy rainfall, while a new inlet screen has been put in place to enhance treatment capability'.

Susan Davy, CEO, said: “Reducing the use of storm overflows is just as important to us as it is to our customers. Delivering change on this scale takes time, ambition, and record levels of investment. We have a 15 year programme to deliver the change we all want to see. My brilliant teams are out every single day, working harder than ever and Rilla Mill is another example of how teams are reconfiguring our system.

"It’s great to see their dedication and how much they care about making a real, lasting difference in the region we all live and work in. South West Water’s Turning the Tide storm overflow investment programme is helping to become the first water company to meet the Government’s target of less than 10 spills per year – 10 years ahead of deadline

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