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South West Water

South West Water serves a region of nearly 10,300 square kilometres across Cornwall, Devon and parts of Dorset and Somerset.

Each day the company supplies the region’s 1.67 million residents with over 420 million litres of treated water and disposes of around 235 ML of wastewater through an asset base that comprises 39 water treatment works and 15,146 km of water mains, and 645 wastewater treatment works and 14,710 km of sewers.

Event Duration Monitoring Programme (2024)

Enhancing South West Water’s visibility of consented spill events from their sewage network across Devon and Cornwall

Galmpton Catchment (2024)

WINEP bathing waters project in North Devon to reduce the risk of stormwater overwhelming outlying pumping stations

Inlet Enhancement Projects (2024)

Part of South West Water’s WaterFit Programme of works that champions the rivers, seas and wider environment of the south-west

Lamerton STW (2024)

Reed bed and associated feed pumping station solution for nature-based phosphorus removal

Northbridge Eel Regulations Compliance Project (2024)

Replacement of non-compliant intake screens with new complaint Intralox eel screens including the associated infrastructure & MEICA work

Offwell Storm Tank (2024)

The provision of 30m3 of offline stormwater storage in Honiton, Devon

Wilmington STW (2024)

Nature-based solution trial for phosphorus removal in Honiton, Devon

Alderney WTW (2023)

In 2015, Bournemouth Water was acquired by Pennon Group, who already owned South West Water (SWW). Alderney WTW, located in the north of Bournemouth, is a strategically important water treatment works that supply high quality drinking water to approximately 375,000 customers – nearly 75% of the homes and businesses in Bournemouth Water’s operational area. Alderney […]

Brook Street (Dawlish) CSO (2023)

Dawlish is a traditional seaside town on the south coast of Devon, approximately 12 miles south of Exeter and is a popular holiday and day trip destination. South West Water (SWW) and Galliford Try’s objective was to ensure that the bathing water quality did not deteriorate within the next 20 years by ensuring that there […]

Hingston Down Reservoir (2023)

South West Water’s (SWW) Hingston Down Reservoir site is located on an exposed Cornish hilltop and contains two service reservoirs which supply nearby villages with potable water. Originally there was only one reservoir at the site and there was no way of being able to take it out of service for cleaning, so a Braithwaite […]

Littlehempston WTW (2023)

Littlehempston is a large complex potable water treatment works located near Totnes, South Devon, which has multiple river and reservoir sources. It supplies circa 78,000 properties to an area that includes Torbay, Newton Abbot and Kingsbridge. The original treatment works comprises flat bottom clarifiers (FBC) and rapid gravity filters (RGF), with an additional process stream […]

Marhamchurch SPS (2023)

Marhamchurch is a small village around 2.4km south of Bude and has a population of just over 800. Sewage from this village is pumped to a nearby large sewage treatment works which processes the waste from Bude and the surrounding area. The existing Marhamchurch Sewage Pumping Station (SPS) was built around 50 years ago and […]

Meadow Road Stormwater Tank (2023)

Budleigh Salterton is a seaside town on the coast in east Devon, at the start of the World Heritage Jurassic Coast, with a population of just over 5,000 people. It has been described as a picturesque town with a two-mile pebble beach for the hardy swimmers braving the seas for a dip in the beautiful […]

River Lyd Pumping Station (2023)

The River Lyd Pumping Station is consented to abstract up to 40 Mld from its intake source at Lifton, Devon during November through to March, pumping raw water approximately 7km to Roadford Reservoir. The pumping station was last used on a full operational basis during the mid-1990s and the original equipment had remained in a […]

Stithians WTW (2023)

Upgrading the existing water treatment process with GAC and UV treatment to meet long term taste and odour targets

Stratton SPS to Helebridge STW Rising Main (2023)

The village of Stratton, which is located just outside Bude, Cornwall, used to have its own sewage treatment works, but this was replaced by a sewage pumping station (SPS) many years ago when it was decided that Bude and the local villages would have all their sewage treated at a single, large treatment works at […]

Thankes Park Sewage Pumping Station (2023)

South West Water’s Thankes Park Sewage Pumping Station (SPS) is situated in a housing estate, close to Thankes Lake along the River Tamar in a busy public park with extremely limited access. The park has been undergoing renovation and development by locals who upkeep the maintenance to stimulate interest in its historic and heritage value […]

Newham STW (Threemilestone Project) 2020

Newham Sewage Treatment Works is located on the outskirts of Truro, Cornwall. The site treats wastewater from the city and the surrounding areas which are experiencing a rapid population growth. A £6.8m project was sanctioned by South West Water in May 2018 to provide a new secondary process stream, utilising the novel Nereda granular activated […]

Kiln Road Sewage Pumping Station (2019)

The 2010 Shellfish Waters Directive placed a new obligation on South West Water (SWW) to ‘endeavour to meet’ the Shellfish Waters Regulations ‘Guideline’ Standard (Class B). The Shellfish Waters (SFW) programme of work was to meet legislative requirements to protect or improve designated shellfish waters to support shellfish life and growth, contributing to the quality […]

Quay Road Charlestown DG5 Flooding Scheme (2019)

Situated on the outskirts of St Austell on the south coast of Cornwall, Charlestown Harbour is an unspoilt, original Grade II Listed Harbour. Used recently as a key location for the filming of the BBC’s remake of the 1970s hit series Poldark, it has also been used for Dr Who, Tim Burton’s Alice in Wonderland, […]

Countess Wear Stormwater UV Irradiation Plant (2018)

As of May 2017 there are 137 designated shellfish protected waters in England and of these, 25 are located within the South West Water region. It is estimated that the industry associated with shellfish production areas in the South West is worth £5.35m per annum (figure from EA based upon Shellfish Association of Great Britain […]

Hayle STW - Inlet Refurbishment Works (2018)

Hayle STW is located at the end of the Hayle estuary in West Cornwall approximately 7 miles east of Penzance.The area immediately surrounding Hayle STW has a small population made up of St. Erth Village. The site itself is located within a large plot bordered to the north by the West Coast Main Line, and […]

Northcombe WTW GAC Scheme (2018)

Located near Okehampton, Northcombe WTW supplies a large region of North Devon including Barnstaple, Bideford and South Molton. The works supplies over 88,000 customers, with around half of these relying on Northcombe as their sole supply of water. As standards for water quality change, South West water (SWW) has been issued a notice by the […]

Plymouth Central STW Stormwater UV Irradiation (2018)

The European Union’s (EUs) revised Bathing Water Directive (rBWD) (2006/7/EC) came into force in March 2006 replacing Bathing Water Directive (BWD) (76/1160/EEC). The overall objective of the revised directive is the protection of public health. From November 2015, a new classification system for bathing waters (excellent, good, sufficient or poor) was introduced, with more stringent […]

South West Water Shellfish Waters NEP AMP6 Programme (2018)

The 2010 Shellfish Waters Directive placed a new obligation on South West Water (SWW) to endeavour to meet the Shellfish Waters Regulations ‘Guideline’ Standard. (Class B). The Shellfish Waters (SFW) programme of work was to meet legislative requirements to protect or improve designated shellfish waters to support shellfish life and growth, contributing to the quality […]

Fluxton & Ottery St Mary STWs (2017)

Fluxton and Ottery St Mary STWs are located in the Otter Valley, East Devon. The town of Ottery St Mary has a population of 4898 and is situated on the River Otter, approximately 10 miles east of Exeter, and the nearby hamlet of Fluxton has a population of approximately 99. The Fluxton site itself is […]

Maltsters Rising Main (2017)

As part of the South West Water Delivery Alliance H5O’s capital improvements programme, the Maltsters Sewage Pumping Station (SPS) Rising Main was identified for improvement after seven historic bursts within the last two years. This rising main is situated near the picturesque village of Tuckenhay, Devon, on the Harbourne River which converges with the River […]

Marsh Mills WwTW (2017)

South West Water (SWW) has an ODI target to supply 20% of its energy from renewable sources by 2020. This translates to a volume target of 50GWh renewable output within the final year of K6. This project will contribute 9.4GWh towards this 50GWh target by 2020 by optimising six sludge treatment centres (STCs), which operate […]

Tamar Lakes ‘Q’ Scheme (2017)

Tamar WTW was constructed in the mid 1970s and is located on the Cornwall/Devon border near Bude/Kilkhampton. Raw water is transferred to site by gravity pipework from Upper Tamer Lakes Reservoir. The works has a maximum output of 9.0 Ml/d and treated water is pumped by 2 (No.) sets of on-site high lift pumps to […]

Camels Head WwTW (2016)

South West Water’s Camels Head WwTW, is located in a residential area of Plymouth, Devon and serves a population equivalent (PE) of 41,500. Capital maintenance is required due to issues with current full flow to treatment (FFT) compliance, which is constrained by the primary settlement tanks (PSTs) capacity, odour from the site, inlet screening and […]

Countess Wear STW (2016)

Countess Wear STW is located to the south east of the city of Exeter in Devon. Located on the edge of a large residential area, the works is bounded by the River Exe to the east and the Exeter Ship Canal to the west. Countess Wear is best known for the locations of the Countess […]

Mayflower WTW (2016)

South West Water (SWW) has started construction on a new £60m state-of-the-art water treatment works in Devon, the company’s flagship project in its 2015-2020 business plan. Mayflower WTW will use cutting-edge treatment processes, designed and developed by leading Dutch water technology company PWN Technologies and will serve around 250,000 customers in Plymouth and the surrounding […]

North Tawton STW (2016)

South West Water (SWW) is currently participating in a National Programme of Trials to investigate the feasibility of using new technologies to achieve very low phosphorus (P) levels in final effluent discharged from sewage treatment works. The trials, which are funded under the Phase 4 NEP, are organised by UK Water Industry Research (UKWIR) to […]

Salcombe Sewer Flood Alleviation (2016)

Salcombe is a popular tourist town in south Devon with a resident population of 2,500 and a peak tourist population of 3,300. The main one-lane street becomes packed with holiday makers and second home owners in the summer months. The main town area is low-lying and runs alongside the Kingsbridge Estuary, although interestingly there are […]

Colebrook FAS (2015)

£2.6m collaboration to solve a long-term flooding problem in a busy suburb of Devon’s largest city

Creating a Water Sensitive South West (2015)

Creation of a diverse, multi-stakeholder group charged with the task of transitioning Devon and Cornwall into a water sensitive region

Holbeton Bathing Waters (2015)

Holbeton sewage discharge reductions to Mothecombe Estuary by surface water separation & attenuation of storm flows

Ivybridge Bathing Waters (2015)

Attenuation & screening of CSOs & UV disinfection to meet the rBWD for Mothecombe bathing waters

Kennick, Tottiford & Trenchford (KTT) Spillways Project (2015)

Increasing the spillway capacity of three historic impounding reservoirs within Dartmoor National Park

Restormel WTW (2015)

GAC pesticide control and capital maintenance project

Torquay (Abbey Park) Bathing Waters (2015)

Fleet Walk CSOs identified for overflow improvements

Truro DG5 Flooding Scheme (2015)

Upsizing the existing sewer network, utilising a timber heading tunnel and auger bore to alleviate flooding in Truro

Newton Poppleford Mains Replacement Scheme (2014)

Replacement of 1km of 3” asbestos cement main along the main street through Newton Poppleford in East Devon

Torbay Sewer Rehabilitation Scheme (2014)

£1.9m of extensive sewer rehabilitation works in the midst of the South West’s flagship holiday destination

Wimbleball Dam Grouting Project (2014)

A new grout curtain constructed beneath Wimbleball Dam has reduced leakage to the lowest recorded rate since construction

Photovoltaic Energy Production (2013)

The planning, design, installation and commissioning of PV arrays on South West Water operational sites

Crowlas Sewer Replacement (2012)

South West Water Alliance team ‘Innovate to Renovate’ a failing strategic sewer in the heart of Cornwall

Drift WTW (2012)

The application of UV/peroxide advanced oxidation in combination with granular activated carbon

Exeter Link Main (2012)

3,700 properties in Topsham and Exminster benefit from a secure and higher quality water supply

Falmouth STW (2011)

Nitrogen removal scheme to protect the marine habitat in the River Fal

Park & Stannon China Clay Pits Raw Water Abstraction (2011)

Innovative pumping stations for abstraction of raw water from two flooded china clay quarry pits

Avon WTW Support Scheme (2010)

£8.8m pipeline scheme to improve South West Water’s security in supplying water

Crownhill WTW (2010)

Upgrade to the main source of potable water for Plymouth

Lopwell Pumping Station (2010)

£2.1m refurbishment scheme safeguard’s critical raw water supply for Plymouth

Cornish Phosphorus Removal Schemes (2008)

£2.8m phosphorous removal scheme at 3 STWs

Dartmouth South Town Outfall Removal (2008)

South Town Outfalls – “Completing the Jigsaw”

Stithians Reservoir Destratification Programme (2008)

Reduction of manganese & geosmin deposits in supply networks

Callington STW (2007)

£3.2m upgrade for catchment growth

Littlehempston WTW (2007)

£6.4m upgrade for waterworks serving 200,000 population

Newham STW (2007)

Pre-fab package denitrification Biostyr® plant provides solution

Northcombe Service Reservoir (2007)

Increases security of supply & maximises economical operation

Sennen & Porthcurno STWs (2007)

SW Water ‘clean sweep’ with £5.7 million sewage scheme

Burrows WTW (2006)

A case of ‘environmental Sudoku’

Lands End STW (2006)

£6.7m project gives first time treatment for historic mining area

Stanborough Reservoir (2006)

To boost existing water supply during peak periods

Ashford STW (2005)

£4.7m biological treatment process protects sensitive waters

Littlehempston WTW (2005)

Hydro power station at works inlet offsets 30% energy needs

Mullion & Lizard STW (2005)

£5.65m project provides first time sewage treatment

Slapton & Torcross STW (2005)

£4.9m project in environment sensitive area

Barnstaple & Bideford CSOs (2004)

Improving 32 CSOs raises oysters & mussels quality

Tamerton Foliot Wastewater Storage (2004)

Hayesend Farm project: removal of a DG5

Teign Estuary CSOs (2004)

Providing screening, storage & reduction of spills to estuary

Tottiford Trunk Main (2004)

£5.9m replacement & refurbishment of major supply route

Croyde STW (2003)

£5.5m new works to meet UWWTD

Dartmouth STW (2003)

First time sewage treatment for estuary towns

Lynmouth STW (2003)

£2m upgrade benefits ecology & water based recreation

Otterton STW (2003)

Providing secondary treatment in a beauty spot

Plymouth WWT Scheme (2003)

£14m investment meets Shellfish & Bathing Waters Regulations

Taw Torridge STW (2003)

£25.9m scheme delivered target capital & operating costs

Camborne STW (2002)

New sewage treatment works and pumping stations

Falmouth CSO Improvements (2002)

South West Water invest £5.5m to meet EC Shellfish Directive

Torbay STW (2002)

New STW & full treatment for Torbay, Paignton & Brixham