SWW Director of Natural Resources to give a talk as part of the Biodiversity Festival
“Local volunteers have been working for the last two years challenging South West Water and the Environment Agency over the performance of the Sidmouth system which is clearly inadequate for local needs. Their efforts are beginning to pay off but there is a long way to go.” [Ed Dolphin]
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The latest barrage of ire directed at South West Water centres on its latest financial results: South West Water owner pays dividend despite pre-tax loss and fine [Times] and South West Water pays £112m to shareholders amid sewage leak backlash [Telegraph paywall] and MP Ian Liddell-Grainger calls for water company’s entire board to quit in shame | wsfp.co.uk and MP hits out at ‘shameless’ South West Water payout | Midweek Herald
This is on top of previous barrages – for example: SWW ‘joint worst performing water company’ – Vision Group for Sidmouth [July 22] and Discharges of untreated sewage: SWW to answer questions – Vision Group for Sidmouth [December 21]
Nevertheless, there have been tangible results from engaging with SWW at a local level: Ofwat instructs SWW to spend on Sidmouth – Vision Group for Sidmouth [March 23]
This has happened no doubt in part because of vociferous public ire being expressed in no uncertain terms on a regional and national scale , as well as lobbying and letters and lamentations behind the scenes.
As for Sidmouth, there has been a very specific process of engagement with SWW which seems to have paid off.
A very clear and helpful overview of what has been happening these last two years has been provided by Ed Dolphin:
Local volunteers have been working for the last two years challenging South West Water and the Environment Agency over the performance of the Sidmouth system which is clearly inadequate for local needs. Their efforts are beginning to pay off but there is a long way to go.
The Sidmouth group’s work has focussed on challenging SWW and the EA and has not been publicised widely because the town does not need the kind of media attention it is receiving now. The pressure on the water company has started to bring local results and SWW is starting work soon on things that should begin to improve the local system in the next year.
It is unlikely that our small valley would have been catapulted to the head of the queue without the efforts of town councillors and local citizen scientists’ determined collection and analysis of data, and then the presentation of challenging questions to SWW and the EA, the squeaky wheel is getting the oil. To give him his due, local MP Simon Jupp has played his part by opening doors for the questions to hit home and raising the issue himself at various levels of Government.
Sewage spill around Sidmouth’s beach: what’s it all about? – The Sid
Local efforts to engage with SWW continue this week – when the new Director of Natural Resources at South West Water gives a talk as part of the Biodiversity Festival – where her focus will be on the “delivery of the company’s environmental plans to protect and enhance the environment”:
I will update on the actions South West Water are taking to tackle drought, the actions South West Water are taking to reduce Storm Overflow spills and the positive nature recovery work which my team are leading across the region
Talk by Carolyn Cadman, SWW Director of Natural Resources – 9th June – The Sid
Do join her and the Sid Valley Biodiversity Group at Kennaway House at 11.30 on Friday: Talk by Carolyn Cadman, Director of Natural Resources, South West Water – Friday June 9th – Sid Valley Biodiversity Group