South West Water interactive map shares sewage spills across Cornwall
The website shows people water quality levels and where sewage is high across beaches
Last updated 21st Mar 2023
South West Water website has launched an interactive map to show where sewage spills and the level of water quality across beaches in Cornwall.
The WaterFit Live map is designed to share information about the region’s bathing beaches, location and performance of storm overflows and the company’s plans to improve water quality.
WaterFit Live will share open information and help everyone in the South West have their say on how to protect and improve beaches.
Susan Davy, Group CEO Pennon (who own South West Water), said: "We want people to feel confident about the water quality at their favourite beach and to know we are serious about reducing the use of storm overflows. WaterFit Live is designed to share helpful information about bathing water quality, the improvements we are already making and future investments.
"The beaches in the South West belong to those who live in the region, are loved by those who visit the South West, and this is all about ensuring we share data, listen to the views of those who care, and work together to invest where it’s needed most".
‘Your Beach, Your Say, Our Investment’ aims to let communities have their say on the region’s beaches and help shape the priorities for investment at South West Water.
MP Steve Double, for St Austell and Newquay, said: "I welcome this initiative, which will allow customers and beach communities from St Austell and Newquay to share their insight and experiences with South West Water and in turn directly feed into their priorities from 2025.
"I appreciate South West Water being proactive and working with the Government following the tough new measures to hold water companies to account that have been made possible via our Environment Act.
"I will continue to do all I can to work with the Government and South West Water to ensure we continue to make progress in reducing sewage discharges and maintaining our excellent water quality".
The new system forms part of the company’s commitment to share more information with customers on both environmental performance and investment plans at the beaches across South West’s 860 miles of coastline. 
WaterFit Live will also share useful information about beaches helping to explain how the network and storm overflows work through user friendly, easy to understand explanations, animations and FAQ’s. It will highlight South West Water’s focus on maintaining the South West’s 100% bathing water quality standards.  
Through ‘Your Beach, Your Say, Our Investment’ customers will be able to share knowledge about their local beach and help South West Water prioritise their next round of investment from 2025.
South West Water plans on expanding WaterFit Live so that it also covers river water quality later this year. There are currently no designated bathing rivers in the region, but the company is working on pilots for both the rivers Dart and Tavy to learn what it will take to achieve this.