Leader of EDDC gets a cameo quote in Leigh Day’s South West Water sewage pollution claim, latest Update 23.02.26:
Claim expands across Devon and Cornwall – Letter Before Action issued to South West Water and parent company Pennon Group PLC. Lead partner Oliver Holland describes this as “an important step in the claim”.
Which towns have been impacted by sewage pollution?
As sewage pollution continues to affect the lives and livelihoods of coastal and river-based communities throughout the UK, residents and businesses in the South West are taking action. They are bringing a group legal claim against South West Water Limited (South West Water) and Pennon Group Plc in relation to allegations that these companies are responsible for sewage pollution affecting their coastal communities.
The claim was initially brought on behalf of residents and businesses in Exmouth and Budleigh Salterton. It has since expanded to include other towns and beaches across South West Water’s area of appointment that are among the worst affected in the region. These include:
- Dawlish Warren and Dawlish (Devon)
- Sidmouth and Salcombe Regis (Devon)
- Teignmouth and Holcombe (Devon)
- Fistral Beach (Newquay, Cornwall)
- Longrock Beach (near Penzance, Cornwall)
As highlighted in the recent Channel 4 docudrama, Dirty Business, sewage pollution is a widespread and severe issue across the country. The communities identified in this claim are among those most severely affected across the South West.
Local beaches play a vital role in these communities, with local economies heavily dependent on tourism. They are also culturally and socially significant, providing opportunities for sea swimming, water sports and access to the coastline. However, according to local reports, South West Water repeatedly discharges large volume of untreated sewage, with detrimental consequences for the condition and usability of these beaches.
The effects of these discharges have been acknowledged by both the Environment Agency and South West Water. In recent years, the Environment Agency has issued numerous ‘Advice Against Bathing’ notices in recent years, and South West Water has regularly stated on its website that discharges may affect bathing water quality.
More broadly, beaches across the South West have faced repeated disruption as a result of sewage pollution. The leader of East Devon District Council, Paul Arnott, has described the situation as an “ongoing civil emergency” following repeated closures from Seaton to Sidmouth.
In 2022, Surfers Against Sewage identified Longrock beach as “joint worst” in England for sewage alerts. More recently, during the August 2024 Bank Holiday weekend, red flag warnings were raised on Exmouth Beach to prevent people from entering the water. Fistral beach has also been affected, with sewage alerts leading to the cancellation of surf events.
East Devon Watch 