Representatives from South West Water were called before the South Hams District council to answer for their record on sewage spills and flooding.

Councillors on the overview and scrutiny committee questioned their representatives, Alan Burrows and Mark Worsfold - asking them what they have done to rectify recent sewage spills and what their plans are for the future.

Within the South Hams there are 17 bathing waters, all of which apart from one, Mothecombe, are rated excellent for their water quality. In comparison to the rest of Devon the South Hams has more rivers and bathing waters in good condition.

The number of sewage spills has steadily reduced over the last three years across Devon and Cornwall. With no serious incidents being reported in the South Hams.

At the moment SWW are putting a lot of funding into monitoring storm overflows, which deposit waste when there is heavy rainfall. SWW plan to be able to publish their information as live to the public, so residents can accurately track when there have been sewage spills or the storm overflows have been opened.

Councillors questioned why water bills are being increased by the company. The response was to meet government targets they will have double spending on infrastructure. Therefore, they had to make the decision to increase customers’ bills. SWW do offer financial help for those who could need support with the incoming increase.

The SWW representatives also said they are debating internally about possibly charging tourists more and businesses in the tourism industry to take some of the burden off residents.

For more information visit the South West Water website, https://www.southwestwater.co.uk/