South West Water lifts hosepipe ban, as MP compares it to Al Capone and Russell Brand

South West Water has today lifted all hosepipe restrictions across Devon and Cornwall.

It reported its Roadford Reservoir is at 53% storage, up 10% from this time last year, while Colliford Reservoir is at 52% storage, up 28% from last year. It attributed the improved position to “the collaboration of customers, our investments, and recent rainfall.”

Meanwhile, in Parliament last week, Conservative MP for Bridgwater and West Somerset, Ian Liddell-Grainger, led a debate on the environmental performance of South West Water. This covered sewage discharges, dividends, debt, leakage, charges and bonuses. During his opening address, Liddell-Grainger compared the company to both Al Capone (“This company of ruthless, money-grabbing cowboys makes Al Capone look like an angel”) and Russell Brand (“ I am afraid it is a bit like Russell Brand: not to be trusted. South West Water has a broken moral compass and a cavalier attitude to its own filth.”)

The full debate, including water minister Rebecca Pow’s response, can be read HERE.