South West Water commit to be Water Fit by 2040

12th June 2023

Storm overflow investment will be delivered 10 years ahead of Government expectations

South West Water published their draft Drainage and Wastewater Management Plan (DWMP) in June 2022. They consulted on the plan across the region, listening to views from customers and stakeholders who told the company that they wanted them to prioritise the challenge of storm overflows as soon as practicable.

South West Water heard what customers and stakeholders said and have amended the final plan to reflect these views. As a result, the company’s final DWMP sets out a delivery plan for storm overflows to meet the Government’s expectations by 2040, a decade faster than the target of 2050.

John Halsall, COO of South West Water, said: “We have listened to our customers and stakeholders and this is another example of how serious we are about reducing our use of storm overflows and investing responsibly to reduce our impact on the environment. We want our customers to have a water company they are proud of, and this is one of many steps we are taking to help rebuild trust, over time by taking action.”

DWMPs are long-term plans that outline how the company intends to approach and manage sewerage and wastewater in the region over the next 25 years. South West Water has set out how they will evolve their water recycling system into one that future generations can be proud of and will:

1. Protect people, homes and businesses from flooding

2. Support tourism and the long-term economic health of the region

3. Increase the use of nature-based solutions, innovating to protect our unique environment and reducing our carbon footprint

4. Eradicate pollutions and the damage caused by plastics, fats and wet wipes for the long-term benefit of all.