South West Water is reporting that it has reduced storm overflow use by 17% and cut spill duration by 25% over the past year, despite the South West experiencing a substantially wetter year than the rest of England.

New data shows that South West England received 62% more rain than England overall in 2025, according to the Met Office. Almost half (47%) of all spills occurred during the final three months of the year, when the region experienced sustained periods of heavy rain.

Against this backdrop, the company says it has delivered measurable improvements across its wastewater network:

• 17% reduction in total spills
• 25% reduction in total spill duration
• More than 8,300 spills prevented due to investment and operational improvements
• 50% reduction in the number of sites spilling more than 100 times annually
• Top five spilling sites reduced by 50% following targeted interventions
• Only 17% of spill duration now coastal
• 100% overflow monitoring across the network

Richard Price, Managing Director of Wastewater Services at South West Water, said:

“We have continued to reduce storm overflow use despite South West England experiencing 62% more rainfall than the rest of England in 2025. Against that backdrop, we have reduced spills by 17% in the last year, and spill duration is down by 25%.

“Our focus has been clear - prioritising beaches during the bathing season and targeting our highest spilling sites. We have reduced by 50% the number of sites that spill more than 100 times per year, and our top five spilling sites have reduced spills by 50% following targeted interventions. Since last year, more than 8,300 spills have been prevented as a direct result of investment and operational improvements. This forms part of our 15-year plan, backed by around £760 million of investment to 2030.

“We are proud to lead the industry on monitoring and transparency. We measure more spills, more often, with 100% overflow monitoring meaning our data is robust, accurate and fully transparent.

“This work reflects our continued focus on protecting bathing waters - a priority our customers have clearly told us is most important to them. There is more to do, but the direction of travel is clear: fewer spills, shorter duration, and focused investment where it matters most.”

The new data demonstrates that structural improvements are being delivered even during sustained wet weather conditions.

Protecting bathing waters remains a key priority:

• Only 17% of total spill duration is now coastal
• Almost all regional bathing waters are rated Good or Excellent by the Environment Agency
• Bathing water spills have reduced over the past five years

The company has prioritised interventions at high-spilling coastal sites and continues to focus investment where environmental impact is greatest.

The improvements form part of a 15-year turnaround plan, supported by approximately £760 million of investment over the next five years.

This builds on progress made in 2024, where the company was one of only five in the sector to reduce spills. South West Water says the 2025 data now strengthens that position, demonstrating:

• Sustained year-on-year reductions
• Significant cuts at the worst-performing sites
• Targeted operational interventions delivering tangible results
• Enhanced monitoring providing greater transparency than ever before

South West Water has 100% overflow monitoring in place – the company says the enhanced monitoring means it detects and records short-duration spills that other companies may not capture.