55% increase in sewage dumps by South West Water 

New figures released by the Environment Agency have shown that South West Water which covers Devon discharged sewage a staggering 582,49 times last year, a 55% rise compared to in 2022.

Devon’s Liberal Democrats are calling for tougher action against sewage dumping in local rivers/beaches, including replacing Ofwat with a tougher regulator. The party has also called for a ban on bonuses for water company bosses whose firms have dumped sewage into waterways.

They accuse Conservative MPs of failing to take measures which would have helped to tackle the crisis, including MP for Totnes, Anthony Mangnall. On the entries for theyworkforyou.com website, it states that he “consistently voted against improving environmental water quality“.

Anthony Mangnall is dismissive of  ‘theyworkforyou’ as a fact checking source saying it is just “opposition motions“. He said “I have only ever voted to increase standards” citing that he voted against the Duke of Wellingtons’ amendment as “it was not workable.”

I have only ever voted to increase standards

On his website in answer to an enquiry he states; “The Government has now published the Storm Overflows Discharge Reduction Plan, which will require water companies to deliver their largest ever environmental infrastructure investment – £56 billion capital investment over 25 years. Water companies will have to achieve a number of strict targets and failure to meet these targets could see them face substantial fines or having to return money to customers.”

Liberal Democrat Parliamentary Candidate for the South Devon Constituency, Caroline Voaden said: “It is a complete scandal that filthy sewage is being pumped into Devon’s  rivers and waterways.” She continued; “Our community should not be forced to put up with this any longer yet time and again this Conservative government has voted against tougher action on sewage dumping. 

Our community should not be forced to put up with this any longer

“Here in Devon, the Liberal Democrats have been leading the way in holding water companies to account and have called for tougher action to stop sewage being dumped in local rivers and beaches. We need to see a ban on bonuses for water company bosses whose firms have pumped filth into our waterways and our local community is protected from this filth.”

Totnes Pulse asked South West Water for comment on bonuses and they stated “Our CEO Susan Davy chose to forego her bonus for 2022/23. Instead, the money was invested into our unique WaterShare+ scheme which goes directly to our customers. As an FTSE listed business, our executive pay is in the public domain, and transparent to customers through WaterShare+ and shareholders.  Our renumeration policy and outturns are approved independently.”