South West Water is languishing at the bottom of a table of national water company environmental performance, part of an annual report published by the Environment Agency. 

The company requires improvement, according to the report published last Wednesday. Pollution incidents, self-reporting and water resources management fall below acceptable levels, although performance has increased from a one- to two-star rating (out of a possible four stars).  

The rating follows a record £2.1-million fine this year after South West Water admitted causing pollution and environmental damage. On balance, however, the Environment Agency recognises new leadership at South West Water is taking the company in a positive direction, with signs of wastewater performance improvement, a reduction in total serious pollution incidents and improved permit compliance during 2022.

Clarissa Newell, area environment manager for the Environment Agency, said: “We are seeing the start of a positive shift in culture under new leadership within South West Water. We will continue to apply robust regulation and conduct thorough performance reviews to ensure this momentum is maintained. 

“There is still much work to be done. This year we hope to see South West Water reduce pollutions further via focussed investment in infrastructure, applied learning from past mistakes and an improved data driven approach.  

“Water company performance is also reflected by its customers understanding the importance of using water wisely and supporting the Save Every Drop campaign and the need to only use the sewerage network for what it is intended. This contributes to our efforts in supporting healthy air, land and water for Devon Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly.”

According to the report, total pollution incidents in the South West Water catchment area fell by about 33% in one year, to 108 incidents in 2022, down from 151 in 2021.

Two were deemed to be serious - one relating to a foul sewer and another to a rising main - down from eight in 2021. South West Water self-reported 78% of pollution incidents in 2022, up from 68% in 2021, according to the report.

Susan Davy, chief executive officer of South West Water’s parent company Pennon, said South West Water had the second lowest number of absolute waste water pollution incidents across the sector, alongside top quartile compliance performance.  

“I said we would improve and we have,” she said. “South West Water has delivered the greatest reduction in total waste water pollution incidents across the sector, by some way. 

“The plan is working and we remain on track to becoming a four-star company by the end of 2024. One pollution is one too many, and we continue to achieve significant reductions year on year. 

The report came as the government published a new law to allow the Environment Agency to impose unlimited civil sanctions on water companies for environmental offences, making it quicker and easier for penalties to be imposed, although the most serious cases will still be taken through criminal proceedings. 

This year’s report found that among the nine national water companies, the number of serious pollution incidents had reduced but remains unacceptably high. More than half of such incidents were from assets of Anglian Water and Thames Water – EA has taken enforcement action against both companies.