South West Water is helping to improve water quality in Combe Martin and reduce the use of storm overflows.

Teams have worked on a range of measures in the North Devon village, such as sealing 19 manholes and lining 250 metres of sewer, to prevent ground water from entering sewers and adding unnecessary strain to the network.

This work has helped upgrade Combe Martin’s bathing water classification, as set by the Environment Agency, from ‘poor’ in 2019 to ‘good’ in 2022 and 2023.

Reducing the use storm overflow spills is also a big priority in this area and teams have maximised the use of wastewater storage tanks, which has led to a 68% reduction in spills in the area since 2019.

In addition, South West Water has helped lead the way in a number of environmental improvements after joint investigation work with the Environment Agency found that agriculture and dog waste were having significant water quality impacts in the Combe Martin area.

To combat this, the company has planted thousands of trees along the River Umber’s edge to reduce pollution through agricultural run-off, and more awareness has been raised locally about the negative impact dog poo can have on water quality.

Work doesn’t stop here as South West Water is planning to remove surface water from its sewers in the area to reduce storm overflow spills even more and keep improving the village’s bathing water quality. It will also complete a scheme to divert spills to an outfall pipe around 500 metres out to sea, further protecting the beach.

Andy Potts,South West Water’s Area Operations Manager, said:

“I’m proud to be part of the team making big improvements across our region. Our work in Combe Martin has already made a difference to water quality in the area but we know there is more to do.

“That’s why me and hundreds of colleagues are working hard to deliver improvements and reduce the use of storm overflows every day.”

Barbara Martin, from Combe Martin Water Watch, said:

“We are really pleased to now consistentlyachieve good water quality at our beautiful beach in Combe Martin. Our group have worked tirelessly with South West Water, the EA and other stakeholders to achieve this.

“The community now have a good understanding of how to help, including twice-daily beach cleans by volunteers, and working together has been key to this. We look forward to further improvements and an excellent rating as soon as possible.”

Bruce Newport, Area Environment Manager, Environment Agency,added:

“We are proud to have been part of a great group of people who, over the past decade, have worked tirelessly to raise water quality standards at Combe Martin."

“Every opportunity to make positive change has been taken: ranging from natural processes in land management, community engagement to investment opportunities.”

South West Water is working to roll out similar solutions across the region as it works to become the first water company to meet the government’s target of achieving less than 10 spills per overflow, per year – a decade ahead of target.