South West Water has worst environmental record in England, analysis shows
South West Water has been ranked as the worst-performing water company in England for environmental impact, according to new analysis by Friends of the Earth, with the highest volumes of sewage discharged across its Devon, Cornwall, Dorset and Somerset region. The findings add to mounting pressure on the water industry and the government over sewage pollution, with campaigners demanding tougher legislation and renewed calls for nationalisation, while South West Water insists it is already making significant improvements.
Friends of the Earth assessed companies across six measures, including sewage spills, bathing water quality and river health, and found South West Water among the worst three performers in four of them. It recorded the longest total sewage spill duration of any company, averaging 574,323 hours a year, and its bathing sites saw 666 pollution incidents or warnings in 2025, more than anywhere else. Its 1.8 million customers also pay some of the highest bills in the country, £726 a year, having risen 39% since 2024, second only to Southern Water's increases. The company said spill numbers and duration had fallen over the past year and it remains on track to meet new bathing water standards by 2030, ahead of the national deadline.
- South West Water named England's worst environmental performer by Friends of the Earth
- It recorded the longest sewage spill durations and most bathing site pollution incidents
- Campaigners urge tougher clean water legislation and call for nationalisation
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Water companies collect and treat sewage before releasing treated water or storm overflows into rivers and the sea. Friends of the Earth compared English companies using measures including sewage discharges, river health and the quality of bathing water.
South West Water serves about 1.8 million customers across Devon, Cornwall, Dorset and Somerset. Its record matters to people who use local rivers and beaches, as well as customers whose bills help fund the company’s services and improvements.
Sewage pollution has prompted wider debate about how water companies should be regulated and funded. Campaigners have called for tougher laws and nationalisation, while South West Water says it is making improvements.
Both sides, in good faith
The strongest fair case each way — we don't pick a winner.
The case for
South West Water’s environmental record, customer costs and the scale of sewage discharges support calls for tougher rules and stronger public accountability. Campaigners may argue that nationalisation would let decisions prioritise clean rivers, beaches and fair bills over shareholder returns, while giving government more direct control over investment.
The case against
The company’s reported improvements and commitment to meet bathing water standards ahead of the national deadline suggest that stronger performance may be achievable through investment and regulation without changing ownership. Supporters of this approach may argue that stable, enforceable standards and scrutiny can drive improvements while preserving private capital and avoiding the disruption and public cost of nationalisation.
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