House of Commons · Westminster Hall
19 September 2023 · 2 other contributors · 4,412 words
Opened by Ian Liddell-Grainger Con Bridgwater and West Somerset
Responding minister: Rebecca Pow
Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.
Ian Liddell-Grainger raised concerns about south west water: environmental performance in Westminster Hall. A government minister responded.
Key points
Key requests to Government
I urge the government to ensure that the Office for Environmental Protection properly enforces environmental laws on South West Water. The company should be held accountable for its poor performance and illegal activities, including sewage dumping during dry conditions, which is a clear violation of regulations. Additionally, I ask the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) to provide a robust response to the OEP's investigation into environmental enforcement.
MPs spoke in turn to share their views and ask questions. Here's what each person said.
Opened the debate
I am concerned about South West Water's environmental performance, which has seen the company dump raw sewage in Devon and Cornwall rivers for over a decade. The company is rated red by the Environment Agency and has been fined £2 million for illegal discharges. Additionally, it loses almost 127 million litres of water daily through leaks and burst pipes, charges the highest prices for water in Britain, and operates under severe financial strain with mounting debts.
My hon. Friend Jerome Mayhew looks quizzical upon mention of Wessex Water's illegal sewage spills during the drought last year, but he can ask the BBC for confirmation if needed.
Asked the hon. Member to comment on the Government's responsibility for regulating South West Water, questioning whether blaming water companies or regulators shifts accountability away from the government. Asked if the Minister has sufficient evidence for enforcement action against South West Water.
Government Response
Rebecca PowMr Hollobone, it is a pleasure to have you in the Chair today. I am disappointed at South West Water's environmental performance and its impact on the local environment. The company has been upgraded from one star to two stars according to the Environment Agency's assessment but must take urgent steps to further reduce pollution incidents. South West Water has made progress on monitoring storm overflows, achieving a 30% decrease in spills and meeting the deadline for 100% coverage by the end of the year. I have called the CEO regarding Harlyn bay concerning discharges from storm sewage overflows and requested signage to alert bathers and surfers if pollution is identified. Ofwat announced an accelerated infrastructure package that includes £70 million investment in South West Water's catchments for 15 storm overflow improvement schemes, which will improve public health standards at important sites. The Government has set out strict targets requiring water companies to deliver a significant infrastructure project by 2050 and is consulting on expanding the sewage overflows plan further to cover coasts, estuaries, and marine protected sites. I am pleased that South West Water will lift hosepipe bans next week, as they have been in effect for extended periods. The Environment Agency brought prosecutions against water companies securing fines of £150 million, and recently South West Water was fined £2.1 million for criminal charges between 2016 and 2020. Enforcement budgets were expanded by the Government, including a £2.2 million annual increase for enforcement by the EA and an additional £11.3 million uplift for Ofwat. This is part of the largest criminal and civil investigation into water company permit compliance undertaken right now by the Environment Agency and Ofwat involving 2,200 sewage treatment works.