SOUTH West Water unveiled its extensive plans to improve water quality and reduce the use of storm overflows in Dawlish at a public information event.

Proposals for the town are part of the water company’s £2.8billion five-year investment programme aimed at tackling the much-criticised use of storm overflows during heavy rainfall.

But the plans have caused a storm of their own in the town with residents less than impressed by the presentation held in the Manor House.

South West Water unveil plans for new storm overflow works in Dawlish at a consultation meeting at The Manor House in the town. SWW's Barry Birch, Stakeholder Relations lead tries to answer the many, many questions concerned
South West Water unveil plans for new storm overflow works in Dawlish at a consultation meeting at The Manor House in the town. SWW's Barry Birch, Stakeholder Relations lead tries to answer the many, many questions concerned (Steve Pope/MDA)

Testing is due to be carried out in the next few weeks to help design a tailor-made solution to best meet the town’s needs while minimising any disruption in the town as much as possible.

This will involve drilling trial holes at various locations including the Lawn.

Mark Rands, SWW’s head of programme delivery, explained: ‘With an increasing population and increasing heavy storm weather events, Dawlish needs to be supported and improve the bathing water quality.

‘This work will reduce the number of storm overflow events.

‘There will be upgrades to the drainage network to add capacity.’

Two large underground tanks on the Lawn will link up with other network improvements.

Work is due to start in January and will take between 12 and 14 months.

A separate drainage system for rainwater is in the pipeline for Dawlish
A separate drainage system for rainwater is in the pipeline for Dawlish (SWW)

Mr Rands said: ‘This is a short term development which will improve bathing water quality and make Dawlish more attractive to tourists.

‘We are putting every effort into working with residents and business owners.’

But the timing has sparked outrage over the future of next summer’s events programme which is focused on the Lawn including Dawlish Celebrates Carnival.

And the drop-in session, intended by SWW to outline its plans, was widely criticised.

Comments on social media described it as a ‘disgrace’.

On attendee said: ‘Up to now I've tried to give SWW the benefit of the doubt but I now see that either their communications department is incompetent or that they’re dealing with the residents of Dawlish with contempt.’

Another said the consultation was a ‘very poor show’, describing the ‘incoherent and unconnected displays’ which many complained were too small to read clearly.

Another who went along said: ‘SWW must not be allowed to get away with treating us so shoddily.’

Many agreed the project was needed and had been for some time.

But it was said SWW ‘must sensitively execute these works ensuring the Lawn and wildlife together with businesses suffer the minimum impact during the work’.

One added: ‘I’m sure the work is necessary but the display was appalling.

‘They have terrible public and customer relations. The way the process is being sold to us was cheap and shoddy.’

Cllr Linda Petherick said: ‘It’s got to be done but it would be good if SWW can work with the town council and the Chamber of Trade.’

SWW says it is ‘future-proofing’ Dawlish’s wastewater network.

Several solutions are planned including the new storage tanks, creating separate drains for sewage and rainwater, and fixing issues where surface water is wrongly seeping into pipework – putting added strain on the network.