EA brings 30 illegal spill charges against South West Water

The Environment Agency last week alleged in Plymouth Magistrates Court that South West Water is responsible for many hundreds of illegal discharges at seven sites across Cornwall and one in Plymouth over a six-year period.

The Agency used Event Duration Monitoring data to argue that South West Water has spilled illegally from multiple sites including wastewater treatment works, sewage pumping stations and the sewer network. It brought 30 charges against the company.

South West Water said it is taking the charges seriously, but can’t comment on a live case. Proceedings have been adjourned until 3 July for pleas to be entered.