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South West Water
05 March 2024
Lead MP
Simon Jupp
Responding Minister
Robbie Moore
Tags
EconomyAgriculture & Rural Affairs
Word Count: 9427
Other Contributors: 7
At a Glance
Simon Jupp raised concerns about south west water in Westminster Hall. A government minister responded.
Key Requests to Government:
The MP urges South West Water to speed up plans for £38 million investment in Exmouth's water infrastructure and requests that the Minister consult on making water companies statutory consultees on major planning applications. He also calls for monitors to be installed on all emergency overflows, with no excuses allowed for pollution.
How the Debate Unfolded
MPs spoke in turn to share their views and ask questions. Here's what each person said:
Lead Contributor
Opened the debate
The MP is concerned about the unacceptable pollution levels in Exmouth, Sidmouth and Budleigh Salterton caused by South West Water's failure to invest adequately. He notes that despite recent fines of £2.1 million and bill deductions of £13 million, pollution remains at 'unacceptable' levels, with only modest improvements noted by the Environment Agency. The MP highlights several major incidents in Exmouth and ongoing investigations into sewage treatment works and leakage reporting.
Newton Abbot
The Environment Agency predicts England will run short of water by 2045 due to climate change and population growth. South West Water was not prepared during the hot summer in 2022, with reservoirs at record low levels and a one-year hosepipe ban implemented. The company's measures for saving water were insufficient, and there is an overreliance on smart meters which are proving problematic.
Described significant floods and raw sewage issues in Kingsbridge, stating investigations were not quick enough and damage to residents and businesses was poorly understood by South West Water, urging faster engagement from the company. He also highlighted the impact of water company networks on aquaculture businesses in Brixham and Lyme Bay.
Kevin Foster
Con
Torbay and South Devon
Mr Foster highlighted the improvements in water quality monitoring since 2013, noting that while storm overflow outlets have always existed, they were previously ignored. He discussed the bathing water quality in Torbay, mentioning that although most beaches meet high standards, Goodrington beach needs further improvement to reach a 'good' rating. Mr Foster also mentioned meetings with South West Water where improvements were agreed upon for Goodrington and Paignton sands by 2030, with a £6-million investment plan. He called for clarity in data presentation about sewage releases versus rainwater drainage.
Luke Pollard
Lab Co-op
Plymouth Sutton and Devonport
Highlights that South West Water's performance is not good enough, with more than 37,000 sewage spills in the south-west region in 2022. Criticises the company for discharging raw sewage daily despite knowing it should not be doing so. Advocates for increased investment and urgent action to close private raw sewage outlets in Plymouth Sound.
Richard Foord
Lib Dem
Honiton and Sidmouth
Asked if a £2.1 million fine against South West Water would make any difference to the company with a £2.8 billion debt in its water business. Suggests that rather than water companies having complete control over gathering data on sewage spills, the function should sit with the regulator, the Environment Agency. Mr Foord highlighted that South West Water has poor performance, with high dividend payouts equivalent to £2,931 per property since 1990. He cited a constituent's claim that the company owes £3.1 billion, similar to its dividend payments of £3.2 billion. Mr Foord suggested that water companies are incentivised by their shareholders rather than for public benefit and mentioned illegal dry spills as an issue. He proposed bolstering the Environment Agency with teeth and reforming water companies' boards to include grassroots campaigners. He intervened, questioning whether the problem lies with the regulatory environment that water companies operate within. He mentioned a coalition meeting focused on ending sewage pollution which included various environmental groups.
Selaine Saxby
Lab
Tiverton and Honiton
Asked Anne Marie Morris to clarify Lib Dem policy regarding South West Water issues when Ed Davey was Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change from 2012 to 2015. Saxby declared an interest as a surfer and expressed concerns about the misinformation spread by a campaign group regarding sewage alerts. She highlighted that storm overflows are mostly rainwater and do not take long to clear with tidal rotations. She thanked South West Water for improving bathing water quality in North Devon, but criticised a recent raw sewage spill incident where the Environment Agency did not inform all relevant councils or the public. She urged for more accurate information dissemination during non-standard bathing seasons.
Toby Perkins
Lab
Chesterfield
Mr Perkins intervened, asking Mr Foord for clarity on which campaign group he was referring to, specifically Surfers Against Sewage. He raised concerns about the harassment of water company employees and the significant cuts to the Environment Agency's budget. He highlighted the need for honesty from South West Water and emphasised the economic importance of clean waterways in tourism.
Government Response
Robbie Moore
Government Response
I thank my hon. Friend the Member for East Devon (Simon Jupp) for bringing the matter of South West Water's performance before the House, which has proven to be an incredibly important debate. I am disappointed in the continued poor performance shown by South West Water and its impact on our local environment. Recently, I undertook a tour of the south-west and heard at first hand how pollution can impact coastal communities and local economies. South West Water remains one of the worst performing companies with regard to pollution incidents and storm overflow discharges, both of which were significantly above the industry average in 2022. In 2022, data indicated that 6.47% of South West Water storm overflows spilled 100 times or more, which was twice the sector average. The Environment Agency is scrutinising South West Water's overall pollution reduction plan to ensure that the company has the right plans in place to prevent future issues. I have recently had discussions with my hon. Friend about sewage discharge into Exmouth bathing water and will be personally seeking assurance from the chief executive of South West Water, Susan Davy, that the company is doing all it can to mitigate environmental impacts and protect bathing waters both in Exmouth and across the south-west for the sake of both the environment and public health. I am also aware of concerns following high-profile sewage spills at Harlyn bay in Cornwall; an £800,000 investment by South West Water will reduce surface water ingress into the combined sewer network to help reduce storm overflow spill frequencies. The Government have introduced a storm overflows discharge reduction plan—the most ambitious plan addressing storm overflows discharges in water company history, delivering £60 billion of capital investment by 2050 and targeting our most important sites, including bathing waters first. Following a DEFRA commission, Ofwat agreed to accelerate £128 million of funding for smart metering, nutrient removal systems, and 15 storm overflow improvements in Falmouth and Sidmouth catchments. South West Water's latest business plans include a significant £2.8 billion package of investment scrutinised by Ofwat to ensure it will truly deliver for customers; the company must now deliver on those ambitious plans, with this Government holding it to account every step of the way. As a result of failing to meet its performance commitments, South West Water was directed to return £9.2 million to customers during 2024-25 in addition to the £13.3 million returned in 2022-23.
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About Westminster Hall Debates
Westminster Hall debates are a chance for MPs to raise important issues affecting their constituents and get a response from a government minister. Unlike Prime Minister's Questions, these debates are more in-depth and collaborative. The MP who secured the debate speaks first, other MPs can contribute, and a minister responds with the government's position.