Deutsche Tageszeitung - South West Water ranks worst in environmental comparison

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South West Water ranks worst in environmental comparison

NATURE 30.08.2026

South West Water ranks worst in environmental comparison

Friends of the Earth analysis placed South West Water among England's three worst performers in four of six environmental and affordability measures.

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South West Water caused more environmental harm than any other English water company in a six-part Friends of the Earth comparison. The assessment covered sewage spills, bathing-water quality, pollution incidents and warnings, spill severity, river ecology and bill affordability.

The company, serving Devon, Cornwall and parts of Dorset and Somerset, ranked among the three worst operators in four categories. Its sewage spills averaged 574,323 hours a year from 2024, almost 200,000 hours more than the next companies. Its 157 designated bathing sites recorded 666 pollution incidents or warnings in 2025. Friends of the Earth said about 1.8 million customers paid annual bills of £726 after a 39 percent increase since 2024.

South West Water said storm-overflow spills fell 17 percent and their duration declined 25 percent over the latest year despite heavier rainfall. It said investment would meet new Environment Act bathing-water standards by 2030. The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs called pollution and poor value unacceptable and promised legislation. Water UK said companies would triple investment over five years to halve storm-overflow spills and upgrade 1,700 wastewater treatment works.

(V.Sørensen--DTZ)

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