SOUTH West Water have unveiled its new interactive water quality map, in an attempt to reassure bathers that their local waterways are safe.

Alongside the Waterfit Live map, South West Water is also pledging to reduce their use of the of storm overflows as well.

The WaterFit Live map is designed to share information about the region’s bathing beaches,  location and performance of storm overflows and the company’s plans to improve water quality.

The announcement comes after a long summer and autumn of sewage and discontent last year, with demonstrations against the practice organised by Councillor Martin Wrigley in November.

Martin Wrigley, Dawlish Town Councillor and Liberal Democrat Parliamentary Candidate, has previously branded South West Water's pollution record as ‘an absolute disgrace.'

According to Top of the Poops, an organisation monitoring sewage discharges across the UK, the Central Devon constituency was the seventh worst for sewage dumps last year, with over 4,500 separate sewage dumps, amounting to over 43,000 hours of sewage pumping.

South West Water hope that sharing information about water quality at people’s favourite beaches will help them feel confident about our beaches and the quality of the water. The new system forms part of the company’s promise to share more information with customers on their environmental record and investment plans at the beaches across South West’s 860 miles of coastline. 

Although the new monitored will use sewage discharge monitors to track pollution, it was found in 2021 that 31% of these monitors were either not installed or faulty, the second highest for any water company in the country. Additionally, the Mid-Devon Advertiser revealed last summer that three sewage overflow points that discharged at Dawlish Town Beach and one at Teignmouth Beach were faulty or not working, one of which was working less than half the time it was meant to. Additional faults were found in the River Teign, Dart and Exe. South West Water blamed these issues on a ‘communications failure’. 

WaterFit Live will also share information about beaches, helping to explain how the sewage network and storm overflows work, through explanations, animations and FAQ’s. It will: 'Highlight South West Water’s focus on maintaining the South West’s 100% bathing water quality standards.'   

Through ‘Your Beach, Your Say, Our Investment’ customers will be able to share knowledge about their local beach and help South West Water allocate their next round of investment from 2025. 

Susan Davy, Group CEO Pennon (who own South West Water), said: 'We want people to feel confident about the water quality at their favourite beach and to know we are serious about reducing the use of storm overflows. 

'WaterFit Live is designed to share helpful information about bathing water quality, the improvements we are already making and future investments.  

'The beaches in the South West belong to those who live in the region, are loved by those who visit the South West, and this is all about ensuring we share data, listen to the views of those who care, and work together to invest where it’s needed most.'

Dr Laurence Couldrick, CEO of Westcountry Rivers Trust , said: 'As an environmental charity that protects and restores our rivers across the South West, Westcountry Rivers Trust fully support South West Water’s move towards greater transparency about the operation of sewage assets.

'We already collect a lot of data on the health of our rivers through our Citizen Science Investigation campaign but without data on the sources of potential pollution it is hard to show the cause, whether it be sewage, agriculture or other industries. '

Steve Instance, RNLI Water Safety Lead, said: 'Now more than ever, people are asking for information about their beaches and rivers so that they can make decisions about when to go in the water. That extends from information about rips currents and tides, to information about water quality.

'The RNLI welcome any move towards improving both water quality and transparency around what’s happening at our beaches and are pleased that South West Water are taking steps towards this through their WaterFit Live initiative/programme.'