Lib Dems call for action to stop sewage being discharged into Devon’s waters

Devon's Liberal Democrats are calling for urgent action to stop sewage pouring into our rivers and coastal waters.

They say votes by Conservative MPs in Devon have ‘allowed South West Water a staggering 17 years to fix the problem’ of sewage outfall into rivers and the sea.

They tabling a motion at the next meeting of Devon County Council calling for it to demand the water company and Devon’s Conservative MPs prioritise work to mend old and damaged sewers above payments to shareholders and senior staff.

Charity Surfers Against Sewage says the amount of pollution entering our waters means the UK consistently ranks as having some of the poorest coastal water quality and that only 14 per cent of rivers warrant ‘good’ ecological status.

Ian Roome, the Liberal Democrat’s candidate for Parliament in North Devon, said: “Across Devon local people and holiday makers alike risk illness because of dirty water. Local businesses risk loss of trade, and our unique environment is under threat.”

“Just this week the Conservatives in Westminster voted down a compensation scheme for swimmers who get sick from sewage.” 

The amendment to the Victims and Prisoners Bill, tabled by Liberal Democrat Tim Farron, would have allowed anyone who gets sick as a result of illegal sewage dumping to claim compensation from water companies.

Many local people are so concerned they have come together to monitor water quality, particularly after heavy rain when sewage outflows mostly take place. The annual swimming race from Lynmouth, the Richie Berry Cup, was cancelled in August this year because of worries about levels of pollution in the water. 

John Arbon, of Lynseals sea swimming club said: “We had to cancel the swim due to the day before SWW pumping sewage for at least 10 hours the day before the race was due. Due to the risk to the health of swimmers we moved the event to a later date.”

This event was featured on local and national radio and BBC news and Fergal Sharkey tweeted about it.

The Liberal Democrats said recent reports from South West Water on the Victorian sewage system the county still relies on showed that 75 per cent of the infrastructure is in a critical state.

The report can be viewed at: https://www.southwestwater.co.uk/siteassets/documents/about-us/dwmp/strategic-catchments/exe_l2_dwmp_plan.pdf

The motion tabled by the Liberal Democrats at Devon County Council states: “This council condemns repeated sewage outfalls across the county and Devon’s Conservative MPs’ votes to allow South West Water to continue to pollute our rivers and beaches.

“Council notes that the ongoing problem of poor water quality in Devon impacts on our local communities, economies and environment across the county.

“Council believes that this issue goes beyond party politics and resolves to write a letter from all DCC Group Leaders to Devon MPs and South West Water demanding urgent investment to clean up our water and funding for this to be prioritised over payment of dividends to shareholders and directors’ salaries.”