SWW provide cold water to our houses, and take away rain water and sewage. They are owned by share holders and have a history of underinvestment in infrastructure and sewage discharges into the sea.
“I was involved in the scrutiny meeting with Southwest Water, where we asked many questions
Marc h 2024 – District Councillor Paula Fernley report to Broadclyst Parish Council
about why the situation in East Devon was so bad regarding sewage overflows and why the
treatment works that had planning permission in 2010 wasn’t built. Various unsatisfactory replies
were given but it was said to be because at phase 3 of the build the out flow pipe would have to
go all the way to the coast.
Apparently they are looking to build another on the east of Exeter, still with an outflow pipe that
needs to go to the coast but they were concerned about the New town in Woodbury. They
definitely hadn’t been consulting residents of Farringdon.
The council has voted on a motion of no confidence in Southwest water, which I supported
following many sewage problems across the district, particularly in Exmouth and Clyst St Mary.
Council is doing its best to foster, a better relationship with Southwest water to improve
communication, particularly regarding planning applications. Strategic planning commissioned a
report about the water cycle study which we hope will give us evidence about how the sewage
network is working independent to Southwest water”
The news article about SWW commitments to infrastructure, in Jan 2025, is at https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/clyngzn2xxzo