What is the quality of bathing water in the South West?

BBC News

6 days ago

Update:
Date: 13:21 BST
Title: What are storm overflows and why are they an issue?
Content: Lisa YoungBBC News, South West
The government describes storm overflows as "safety valves" built into the combined sewer system.
When there is extensive rainfall, excess sewage is discharged into rivers, lakes or the sea through the system.
This protects properties from flooding and stops sewage backing up in homes and streets, the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs says.
Campaigners say discharges from storm overflows can contain raw sewage which can contain high levels of
harmful bacteria and viruses, and other pollutants such as microplastics and pharmaceuticals.
Update:
Date: 13:09 BST
Title: 'I can see a brown slick going across the water'
Content: Lisa YoungBBC News, South West
I've been on Gyllyngvase Beach in Falmouth speaking to swimmers about the quality of the water.
Angela Ratcliffe, who lives in the Cornish town, told me she gets in the water nearly every day.
"I'm disabled and so if I get
in there I'm not disabled," she says.
"I can do exercises and everything in there without being in pain."
She says she loves the water but she knows when not to get in.
"At home I look out and can see a brown slick going across and quite often
there's a lot of scum," she says.
"I think it's because they've built so many houses - the
infrastructure cannot take it."
Update:
Date: 12:58 BST
Title: What do sea swimmers say about pollution?
Content: This video can not be played
We've been speaking to swimmers at Goodrington North beach in Torbay, Devon, about the issues around water quality.
Update:
Date: 12:55 BST
Title: What do you think of the issues around water quality?
Content: We're keen to hear your thoughts on water quality.
Are you a sea or river swimmer? Do you check the testing results regularly?
Share your comments by emailing us at [e-mail], external.
Please read our terms & conditions and privacy policy. In some cases a selection of your comments and questions will be published, displaying your name and location as you provide it unless you state otherwise. Your contact details will never be published.
Update:
Date: 12:42 BST
Title: South West Water backs real-time pollution testing
Content: Jonathan MorrisBBC News Online
South West Water says it's very supportive of real-time testing of water quality at the region's beaches and rivers.
Adele Barker, group chief people officer at South West Water, says: "Testing is a complex problem, but actually we are very supportive of real-time testing and monitoring around the year.
"It's done independently at the moment and our customers want that independence."
Update:
Date: 12:30 BST
Title: Mixed picture across south-west of England
Content: David BraineBBC South West senior broadcast meteorologist
There is a big difference in reservoir levels from west to east.
According to the UK Centre of Ecology and Hydrology's latest monthly report, it's clear there was above average rainfall in Devon and Cornwall in June, with river flow being in the normal to above normal range.
Yet for Somerset and Dorset, rainfall was only 60% of the long-term average and river flow rates were in the below normal category.
Individual reservoir levels also tell this story, with Wimbleball reservoir in Somerset currently at 65%, compared with 87% at this time last year and 58% in 2022, a drought year.
For land, reservoirs and rivers in Somerset and Dorset to move back into the normal category, we would need sustained rain from now till autumn - and that certainly is not the forecast.
Update:
Date: 12:12 BST
Title: Give us real-time results on pollution, say swimmers
Content: Jonathan MorrisBBC News Online
Tests are carried out by the Environment Agency
Devon swimmers and clean water campaigners are calling for real-time testing to show pollution levels immediately at designated bathing sites.
Currently tests are carried out by the Environment Agency and it can take several days for the results to be published.
Rhian Manley is a coach at Devon Sea Swim, which uses the free app from Surfers Against Sewage., external
"It actually gives us indications where there are predicted failures and actual failures," she says.
"That's being done by an independent organisation, can't we make this better and more accessible to the public?"
Adele Barker from South West Water says water quality is improving and it's investing £3.2bn in the region.
Update:
Date: 12:00 BST
Title: Reservoir levels do not give the whole picture
Content: David BraineBBC South West senior broadcast meteorologist
The overall water storage held in our reservoirs is
currently at 74% - this compares with the same time last year at close to 90%
full.
It can also be compared with the drought year of 2022, when at the same
time the level was 60%.
The exceptionally dry spring, which was also accompanied by
brisk easterly winds, has led to low soil moisture content.
This is largely down to high transpiration - or the way plants move water from their roots to their leaves.
So while reservoir levels appear to be healthy, rivers and moisture content of the land are not.
Update:
Date: 11:48 BST
Title: Cornwall charity wants better access to water company fines
Content: Tamsin MelvilleBBC News, South West
A storm overflow in to the St Austell River in January 2024
A Cornwall charity is calling for a better system to distribute money to organisations when water companies are fined for failings.
The previous government introduced a Water Restoration Fund, with £11m from penalties recently distributed to local projects instead of going to the Treasury.
Nick Taylor, of Three Bays Wildlife Group, says he had to withdraw a funding application because most of the money would've been paid in arrears.
"We do not have the funds for that, we would have had to find another grant to get the money - it's ridiculous," he said.
Defra says more than £100m in water company fines will go to local environmental projects and it will offer more detail "in due course".
Update:
Date: 11:37 BST
Title: South West Water leadership to change hands
Content: South West Water chief executive Susan Davy announced she was retiring from the company earlier this month.
The announcement came a day after the firm agreed to pay a £24m enforcement package following a three-year investigation into failures in managing wastewater treatment works and sewer networks.
Speaking to BBC Spotlight's Victoria Graham in May, Ms Davy addressed criticism over bill rises, sewage spills and her remuneration.
This video can not be played
Update:
Date: 11:20 BST
Title: Rowers have 'strict regime' to tackle pollution
Content: James Churchfield from BBC Radio Cornwall has been speaking to the Fowey River Canoe Club's James Asser.
He says the club has a "strict regime" to combat pollution - including getting people to shower straight after getting out of the water.
Competitors are also wary of keeping their hands free of contamination by always ensuring they are washed.
Mr Asser says: "That sort of thing has aided in our success."
Update:
Date: 11:05 BST
Title: Campaign aims to 'give river its sparkle back'
Content: Lisa YoungBBC News, South West
Across Devon and Cornwall, volunteers are setting about restoring waterways, including the "sick" River Otter.
They say the middle and lower parts of the River Otter, in Devon, is so contaminated with sewage-related pollutants, it is now classed in the bottom fifth of England's rivers for water quality.
The Otter Valley Association says figures show the river, rated poor by the Environment Agency, had the highest phosphate levels of any major watercourse in Devon and Cornwall.
The EA says about 70% of the phosphate levels come from the sewage system.
The association reports South West Water (SWW) had discharged untreated sewage into the River Otter for more than 15,000 hours in 2024.
Campaigners say they met with SWW representatives last month and were told the water firm had no plans to invest in that section of infrastructure for at least the next five years.
Chairman Haylor Lass says: "This river is the lifeblood of our landscape, and it's been neglected for far too long. We are standing together - locals, anglers, experts and nature lovers - to give the Otter back its sparkle."
Update:
Date: 10:56 BST
Title: 'Absolutely no plans for hosepipe ban'
Content: Adele Barker, chief people officer at South West Water, says reservoir levels across Devon and Cornwall are "very healthy".
"We suffered a drought in 2022, and as a result of that we invested £150m in the region, making sure we were well prepared for any hot season," she says.
"That's not to say that everybody should not do their bit to preserve water.
"As I sit here now we have absolutely no plans for a hosepipe ban in the South West."
South West Water's reservoirs are at 74.3% capacity, according to the latest figures.
Update:
Date: 10:42 BST
Title: Water boss on bills and spills
Content: South West Water's group chief people officer Adele Barker has been speaking to BBC Radio Cornwall's James Churchfield.
This video can not be played
Update:
Date: 10:33 BST
Title: Can bathing water quality be tested in real time?
Content: Kirk EnglandBBC South West environment and tourism correspondent
Dr Kieron Fraser is developing an autonomous water quality testing system to be trialled in a buoy in Cawsand Bay
Swimmers are amongst those calling for "real-time" testing to show current pollution levels at bathing water sites.
The Environment Agency (EA) carries out tests at beaches and rivers but it can take several days for the results to be published.
Marianne Daysh, of the St Agnes Water Users Group, says: "You could potentially be swimming around in sewage, so real-time testing would really help."
The EA says the current system is "consistent and scientific" and designed to "build a detailed, accurate long-term profile of a site".
Scientists at the University of Plymouth are developing an autonomous water quality testing system on a buoy to take and analyse water samples "as frequently as every 15 minutes".
Update:
Date: 10:25 BST
Title: 'Such a shame' bay can't be used all the time
Content: Ben Flowe, chairman of Torbay Tri Club, says he checks the quality of the water before allowing people to swim.
"If the water quality is bad, which it has been, especially last year, we have to cancel sessions," he says.
"Members then get upset and we have to say it's for your safety, but that ends up being a detriment to the club."
He says he wants more people to exercise but the bay can't be used all the time due to water quality.
"It's such a shame," he says.
Update:
Date: 10:18 BST
Title: Dog walker uses app to keep her pooch safe
Content: Carole Eves, from Goodrington Sands in Paignton, says she uses an app on her phone to check water quality.
She says her dog Daisy loves swimming and she the app tells her whether there have been any recent spills.
Update:
Date: 10:11 BST
Title: We will work with new ombudsman - water boss
Content: In one of the biggest shake-ups of the water sector in years, the government says water firms will be overseen by a new ombudsman who will tackle leaky pipes, incorrect bills and other issues, external.
Speaking to BBC Radio Cornwall, South West Water's Adele Barker says the company is ready to be held to account.
"We are very supportive of all the recommendations and we will absolutely work with an ombudsman," she says.
"We want to do anything we can to reassure customers that we are committed to improving services."
Update:
Date: 09:54 BST
Title: 'People are bothered about what's going into the bay'
Content: Hattie McCannBBC Radio Devon
I'm at Goodrington North beach, near Paignton in Devon, and I've been paddling and sea swimming with a group of regulars who come here every day.
They've been sharing their concerns about water quality and what they want to change.
It's a lovely day and everybody is enjoying themselves, but they are bothered about what's going into the bay and the price of their bills.
Update:
Date: 09:45 BST
Title: New housing having an impact, SWW says
Content: Housing developments are putting pressure on South West Water's network, according to the firm.
Adele Barker, chief people officer at the utility, says: "We are very supportive of housing and what it brings to the economic growth of the region.
"Absolutely we would like to be involved as early as possible in planning decisions so we can work proactively."