Cornwall's Septic Tank Crisis Solved by Water Company

South West Water has successfully increased its infrastructure capacity to resolve a persistent issue of long delays in septic tank waste disposal across Cornwall. Operators had been compelled to transport waste hundreds of miles, as far as Bristol and South Wales, due to a significant lack of local processing capabilities.

This situation had led to customer frustration, with some waiting months for their septic tanks to be emptied. The company's head of environmental performance stated that capacity at the Hayle treatment plant was increased by 50,000 cubic litres through refurbishing an additional tank.

This enhancement, achieved in collaboration with regulators, is expected to create a more resilient system capable of handling increased waste during the summer tourist season and periods of heavy winter rain. Industry leaders have welcomed the move, noting the environmental benefits of reduced long-distance hauling.

This development follows a challenging period for South West Water, which faced significant fines in 2026 for a cryptosporidium contamination incident in Brixham and admitted to numerous illegal sewage spills across Devon and Cornwall. The company also dealt with water supply issues and sewage overflows in other parts of Cornwall during January storms.