MP accuses water firm of 'illegal sewage spills'

Swimmers were warned about two areas following "non-compliant spills"

A Conservative MP from Devon has accused South West Water (SWW) of carrying out "potentially illegal sewage spills".

East Devon's Simon Jupp said the firm released sewage into bathing waters at Sandy Bay in Exmouth and the River Sid in Sidmouth on Monday.

The Environment Agency (EA) confirmed there was a "non-compliant" sewage spill for 90 minutes following a power cut at a sewage plant near Exmouth, while an open inspection cover led to sewage being discharged into the River Sid.

SWW chief executive Susan Davy apologised for the impact on bathing waters.

Mr Jupp said the EA had informed him about "potentially illegal sewage spills in my constituency".

"SWW have questions they need to answer urgently about these spills," he said.

"The particular one of concern is into Sandy Bay ... this is not good enough.

"We need to look into that and there needs to be a full investigation."

'Exceptionally wet'

In a letter to Mr Jupp seen by the BBC, Ms Davy said she was "deeply sorry" for the impact on bathing waters.

She said the incidents occurred during an "exceptionally wet few days" and they would be "thoroughly investigated".

"The recent wet weather has put pressure on all infrastructure, including the electricity supply we receive," she said.

"Whilst we have electricity generator back up, a power blip impacted the operational control system.

"The team immediately mobilised, and it took 90 minutes before we could rectify the system issue."

The EA said a power cut at the Maer Lane Treatment Works, near Exmouth, prevented the normal operation of the plant and led to sewage discharge that "did not meet permitted conditions".

It said a separate spill in the River Sid was caused by an inspection cover at Eastern Town being lifted in heavy rainfall.

The authority had warned swimmers against swimming in the two areas after the "non-compliant spills".

"This advice has now been removed as two high-tide cycles have passed since SWW confirmed the sewage discharge has stopped," it added.

"This is expected to provide sufficient dilution to reduce the potential increased risk."

'Difficult to comprehend'

Geoff Crawford, from End Sewage Convoys and Pollution Exmouth, highlighted that there had already been permitted discharges in the area outside of the two incidents.

Sewage companies are allowed to use overflow valves when systems become overwhelmed.

Mr Crawford said: "It means there was additional untreated sewage in the sea, but there is a much larger overflow taking place.

"To be permitted to [discharge] for well over 48 hours ... is difficult to comprehend."