press release
    30th July 2004

The publication of the Environment Agency's Spotlight On Business Environmental Performance 2003 today has again highlighted the ongoing failure of the water industry to improve on its record of pollution incidents. Pollution incidents in the water industry are up 25% on the previous year and South West Water are tied at the top as worst offenders in this industry. Whilst much has been done to improve on the sewerage infrastructure in the region, particularly in improving on the level of treatment sewage receives before discharge to sea it is disappointing to see the water company perform so poorly over the last 2 years. With high public expectations it is vital to the health and wealth of the region that this record is improved upon and SAS continue to urge South West Water to put environmental performance at the forefront of their investment programme for 2005-2010.

In particular SAS are keen to ensure that combined sewer and storm overflows (cso's) are improved upon over the next 5 years as it is these that are likely to cause most pollution incidents over the coming years. The advent of global warming and increasing rainfall predictions are likely to put such systems under intense pressure to spill. When they do the health and welfare of bathers and water users become threatened from contact with polluted water. SAS are keen to see Environmental Courts evolve to effectively deal with repeat polluters and call on government to initiate such courts as a matter of urgency. It is still far too easy for polluters to pay little in the way of a fine and SAS believe environmental courts with a clear legal framework would be best placed to tackle pollution from the water industry.

Richard Hardy, SAS Campaigns Director says: "For the past two years South West Water's record on pollution incidents has been woeful and SAS call on the company to put that right in 2004. The region thrives on clean and safe water - it attracts tourists, adds value to the local economy and encourages healthy, active lifestyles such as surfing. South West Water have delivered a large environment improvement programme over the last five years which is commendable, but the programme will need constant upgrading and investment if it is to satisfy pending new environmental legislation, the threats of global warming and to satisfy customers demands for clean and safe water".For more information please contact Richard Hardy on Tel: 01872 553002 or Mobile 07711 767548.

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