Investigations into storm overflows that spilled hundreds of hours of sewage in 2020 are 'scheduled or on track', South West Water has said.

Storm overflows discharge untreated sewage after heavy rainfall, directing it into the sea or rivers to stop it flooding streets and residential areas.

Environment Agency data from 2020 shows discharges of over 857 hours at Exmouth beach, more than 850 hours at Sandy Bay, and more than 590 hours at Lime Kiln in Budleigh Salterton.

South West Water was investigating the overflows at Exmouth and Sandy Bay at the time. It had marked the Budleigh overflow as 'to be scheduled' and said it would investigate one on Hartopp Road in 2023. There are more storm overflows in the local area, but these four had particularly high discharge durations.

South West Water has since told Nub News that all of the above investigations are currently 'scheduled or on track'.

A spokesperson said: "We are improving the region's network and infrastructure and 2022/23 will see the highest level of capital investment in the past 10 years, as part of our commitment to further protect and enhance the natural environment.

"This includes a significant programme to investigate performance and deliver improvements to assets right across our network as part of our commitment to improving monitoring and reducing usage of overflows."

Since 2015, the Environment Agency has required water companies to record the frequency and duration of sewage discharges at bathing water sites.

It hasn't published data for 2021 yet, but it has rated UK bathing waters for the 2021 season after testing for E coli and intestinal enterococci bacteria. The beaches at Exmouth and Budleigh Salterton were rated 'Excellent', and Sandy Bay 'Good'.

What can be done to stop sewage spills?

One solution is to have two separate systems: one for sewage, one for rainwater. Another would be to build large storage tanks.

A bill approved by parliament in November 2021 says that sewerage undertakers must 'secure a progressive reduction in the adverse impacts of discharges from the undertaker's storm overflows'. It is uncertain whether this amounts to a legal duty.

You can check the current water quality in your area on the Surfers Against Sewage website here.

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