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South West Water: Pollution

Answer

There were 3,466 incidents into a waterbody in the Devon, Cornwall and Isles of Scilly (DCS) area over the last 5 years, of which 929 were related to untreated sewage:

Reported Year	(a) Cat 1-3 incidents with an impact on water	(b) Crude Sewage Incidents in DCS
2019	615	183
2020	658	220
2021	595	147
2022	558	120
2023	701	173
2024	339	86
Total	3466	929

Of these incidents, the following number of substantiated incidents were attributed to South West Water (SWW):

Reported Year	(a) SWW Incidents in DCS	(b) Crude Sewage SWW Incidents in DCS
2019	189	147
2020	233	186
2021	160	117
2022	126	75
2023	222	146
2024	111	71
Total	1041	742

The EA’s area boundaries do not align exactly with water company catchments. This will mean that a small number of incidents will not be included in this analysis.

The use of “other polluting discharges” the EA have taken to mean all other types of pollution incidents into water.

Finally, the EA have included pollution incidents to all types of waterbodies including coastal waters and rivers.

For Part B and C of this question, we do not hold that information, the respective organisations would be best placed to answer.

I would also refer the hon. Member to the Written Statement made by the Secretary of State on 18 July: Written statements - Written questions, answers and statements - UK Parliament.

Secondary information

Type

Written question

Reference

8

Session

2024-26

Related items

First steps to reform water sector
Thursday, 18 July 2024
Written statements
House of Commons

Subjects

Pollution Sewage South West Water

Contains statistics

Yes

Link

View this Written question on www.parliament.uk