South West Water (SWW) is set to nearly double its environmental investment, committing £2.5 billion between 2025 and 2030 to improve water quality and infrastructure across the region.
According to the Environment Agency (EA), this marks the largest environmental commitment from UK water companies since privatisation.
The ambitious plan will focus on reducing pollution, tackling storm overflows, and protecting key water sources like Cornwall’s River Camel.
Under the Water Industry National Environment Programme (WINEP), SWW will undertake over 24,000 environmental actions over the next five years to meet legal obligations. The investment breakdown includes:
£764 million to reduce storm overflow spills
£150 million to prevent nutrient pollution
£3 million for biodiversity and conservation efforts
EA chairman Alan Lovell described the initiative as a “vital step forward towards clean, safe, and abundant water”, while SWW said the improvements would significantly enhance river quality and natural ecosystems.
A major focus of SWW’s plan is reducing the amount of water it abstracts from the De Lank River in the River Camel catchment, which supplies drinking water to homes and businesses.
By March 2030, SWW has pledged to cut water abstraction, easing pressure on this vital river system.
The company has also agreed to halt water abstraction and remove a weir in Dendles Wood National Nature Reserve, further improving local biodiversity.
The EA, alongside Defra and water regulator Ofwat, will closely monitor the project to ensure SWW delivers on its commitments.
“If water companies fail to carry out their legal obligations to the environment, we will take action,” Lovell warned.
Environment Secretary Steve Reed acknowledged the UK’s ongoing water pollution crisis, stating, “It is no secret that our water system needs fixing and that our rivers, lakes and seas are choked by pollution.
“Customers deserve the money they pay in bills to go towards improving the service they receive, and that is why the government will ringfence money earmarked for investment, so it can only be spent on projects like these.”
SWW’s Director of Asset Management, Mark Worsfold, emphasised that this is the company’s largest-ever investment.
“This will deliver improvements in water resources, river quality, and natural habitats. Our storm overflow programme will focus on coastal and estuary protection, improving all bathing waters and shellfish areas by 2030—five years ahead of government targets.”
