South West Water has begun work on the next phase of a £12 million project in Sidmouth designed to improve the town’s sewer network, reduce storm overflow spills and protect local bathing water quality.
Construction is now under way on a new storm storage tank at The Ham, which will help reduce the frequency and environmental impact of overflows during periods of heavy rainfall. Once completed, the tank will provide 100,000 litres of storage capacity, temporarily holding excess flows until the sewer network can transport them for full treatment.
The upgrade is expected to reduce storm overflow spills from The Ham Pumping Station to a maximum of ten per overflow per year and help safeguard the water quality at Sidmouth Town Beach, which has consistently achieved “Excellent” bathing water status.
To ensure construction can take place safely, The Ham will be closed for public recreation from December 2025 until around June 2026, when work on the storm tank is expected to finish.
This phase follows a package of improvements carried out in 2024 to reduce groundwater entering the sewer network. South West Water surveyed 8,475 metres of sewer, relined 604 metres and refurbished 32 manholes. Relining helps prevent groundwater infiltration, which can overwhelm treatment works during heavy rainfall and lead to storm overflow spills. CCTV inspections were used to identify the areas most affected.
These upgrades have strengthened the network’s performance in wet weather, lowering the risk of overflows and supporting better water quality for the local environment and community.
Charlie Ford, Project Manager at South West Water, said:
“Every person who works for South West Water is passionate about having a positive impact on the local environments that we call home.
This investment in Sidmouth is about reducing pressure on the town’s sewage system, protecting its much-loved beach, and delivering cleaner seas for everyone to enjoy.
We’re spending record amounts to reduce our use of storm overflows across the entire region and seeing the results on an individual basis really helps to show the progress we are making.
While we know the temporary closure of The Ham may cause some inconvenience, the long-term benefits of this project will be significant, and we’d like to thank the community for their patience while we complete the work.”
Once the new storm tank and pumping station upgrades are completed, South West Water plans to begin work on separating sewage from surface rainwater in Sidmouth. Reducing storm overflows during heavy rainfall remains a priority as part of the company’s £3.2 billion investment programme running to 2030.
More information and updates on South West Water’s work in Sidmouth can be found on the company’s website.
