South West Water admits to pollution charges

South West Water (SWW) has admitted guilt to 18 pollution charges related to illegal sewage discharges and inadequate remedial actions in Devon and Cornwall between January 2015 and July 2021. The charges, prosecuted by the Environment Agency and heard at Plymouth Magistrates Court, include 17 offenses for untreated sewage releases and one for failing to address a malfunction at a pumping station. Sentencing is set for 30 July 2026. The violations occurred at multiple locations, including Bodmin, Harlyn, Playing Place, Polperro, and Plymouth. A notable incident involved 336 illegal spills at SWW’s Bodmin sewage works, contaminating the River Camel—a conservation area critical for Atlantic salmon and otters. Harlyn Beach saw 231 untreated sewage discharges from January 2016 to July 2021, impacting a popular tourist and local site. In August 2020, the Hooe Lake Sewage Pumping Station in Plymouth released sewage continuously for 88 hours, risking local habitats and recreational areas. The charges also cover failures at the Holywell Sewage Pumping Station. This is not SWW’s first legal action; in 2023, the company was fined £2.15 million for 13 pollution charges between 2016 and 2020. Clarissa Newell, the Environment Agency’s Devon and Cornwall environment manager, emphasized the agency’s commitment to holding polluters accountable. She noted that securing guilty pleas required years of investigation and stressed the need to protect Devon and Cornwall’s beaches, waters, and habitats. The agency vowed to continue enforcing environmental laws to ensure compliance.