Thousands More Join Water Firm Pollution Claim

A significant legal action against South West Water, alleging widespread sewage pollution, has been broadened to encompass Devon and Cornwall. Thousands more individuals and businesses are now eligible to join the environmental community legal claim. Initially involving 1,400 people from Exmouth, the claim now extends to residents and businesses in Dawlish, Sidmouth, Teignmouth, Newquay, and Penzance.

The lawsuit argues that South West Water's failings in managing sewage pollution are extensive across numerous coastal towns, not limited to the Exmouth area. A nurse from Dawlish described witnessing worsening pollution, including sanitary products and effluent, in the sea. In 2024, South West Water recorded 544,429 hours of raw sewage discharges into coastal waters.

This legal expansion follows a £24 million enforcement penalty issued by Ofwat in July of the previous year due to systemic operational failures dating back to at least 2017. Ofwat noted that more than half of South West Water's treatment plants were spilling regularly into the environment, exceeding legal allowances for such discharges.

Oliver Holland, leading the claim, emphasized the importance of this expansion, stating that individuals impacted by sewage pollution in specified areas now have the opportunity to seek action. The claim highlights severe environmental performance by the water firm, which clients allege has negatively affected their lives and livelihoods.