press release
    12th January 2004

Surfers Against Sewage (SAS) have today expressed their continuing disappointment with South West Water in relation to its ongoing poor record on pollution incidents.

The company were named and shamed in an Environmental Agency 'Spotlight on Environmental Performance 2002' report, which saw the company occupy top spot for the worst performance amongst water companies for pollution incidents and meeting their discharge consents.

Not much has changed for 2003 with the company now reported as sharing the top spot (with Southern Water) for worst water company performer for pollution incidents. Their reported 10 offences and subsequent court appearances have however only cost the company a meagre £41,000.

SAS have urged for courts to wise up with the level of fines imposed for pollution, yet very little has changed in 2003 as fines remain so low that they are just loose change for multi-million pound businesses like water companies. Pollution incidents in 2002 again cost the company a paltry £46,000.

Whilst there have been improvements to water quality through the 'Clean Sweep' programme using the water safely for recreational activities such as surfing and windsurfing remains a bit of a lottery. There are more treatment works benefiting from the likes of UV disinfection, but we continue to see pollution incidents being a threat to our coastline both in and out of the traditional bathing season. The chief culprit SAS belives is responsible are the Combined Sewage and Stormwater Overflows (CSO's). In our opinion these have become more active in recent years, and are spilling with greater regularity and with little warning. They are designed only to discharge untreated sewage during extreme weather conditions but seem to be spilling more frequently and during calmer conditions.

Richard Hardy, SAS Campaigns Director says: "We don't think people are getting value for money from the bills we receive from South West Water. Clean seas are a lifeline for the South West's economy and a poor record on water pollution is one we can do without. With all water companies, looking to reduce their spend on environmental improvements from next year the outlook for the healthiness of our seas is beginning to raise real concern from the region's recreational water users".

For more information please contact Richard or Andy on Tel: 0845 4583001 or Mob: 07711 767548.

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