South West Water is beginning a major programme of wastewater infrastructure improvements around the Taw Torridge Estuary in North Devon.
The work will add pumping and storage capacity at several locations to reduce pressure on the sewer network during heavy rainfall. South West Water said the upgrades are intended to reduce storm overflow spills and help protect water quality in the estuary and nearby bathing waters.
The Taw Torridge Estuary supports coastal communities, tourism and wildlife and is located close to popular beaches including Westward Ho! and Saunton Sands. The programme will involve projects at Westward Ho!, Northam and Velator in Braunton.
New Westward Ho! pumping station and sewer
A new pumping station will be constructed at Westward Ho! to increase the volume of wastewater that can be moved through the network for treatment. A new rising main will connect the pumping station to the treatment works.
According to South West Water’s Taw Torridge Estuary project information, the work is intended to increase capacity during periods of peak flow and accommodate demand from a growing population.
The company has been carrying out ground investigations along the proposed pipeline route, including boreholes, trial pits and utility checks. These investigations will inform the final design and construction programme.
Storm storage planned at Northam and Velator
Work at Northam will provide additional wastewater storage for periods of heavy rainfall. The stored flows will be retained temporarily when the sewer network is under pressure and returned for treatment once capacity becomes available.
A larger storage tank is also planned within the existing pumping station site at Velator, Braunton. The tank will be able to hold up to 750,000 litres of wastewater during wet weather.
Construction access is required because the existing route to the Velator pumping station is too narrow for heavy vehicles. South West Water’s project information says a new access route will be constructed across open land from Wrafton to the site.
The storage tank will provide the network with additional capacity during rainfall. Once flows fall and treatment capacity is available, its contents can be returned to the sewer system rather than discharged through a storm overflow.
Programme targets bathing and coastal water quality
Storm overflows act as pressure-relief points in combined sewer networks during heavy rainfall. They are intended to reduce the risk of wastewater backing up into homes, businesses and streets when flows exceed network capacity.
Increasing storage and pumping capacity can reduce how frequently these overflows need to operate. Similar infrastructure is being installed elsewhere in South West Water’s region, including three new storm tanks in Lyme Regis.
The company has also completed a 100,000-litre storm storage tank in Sidmouth. At Dawlish, two tanks with a capacity of 2.2 million litres each form part of another storm overflow reduction project.
James Pearce, South West Water’s programme director for the Taw Torridge Estuary scheme, said the North Devon programme would strengthen the wastewater network and support water quality at local bathing waters.
“The improvements we are making will not only help to reduce storm overflow spills but strengthen the resilience of the wastewater network and support water quality at popular local bathing waters including Westward Ho! and Saunton Sands.”
Works expected to finish in 2027
The different elements of the programme will be delivered over the coming months, with completion expected by summer 2027. South West Water said it would provide updates for communities affected by construction activity.
The work forms part of the company’s £760 million programme to reduce storm overflow spills across its operating region over four years. South West Water has set an internal target of reaching fewer than ten spills per overflow annually by 2040.
The UK Government’s Storm Overflows Discharge Reduction Plan requires improvements to overflows discharging into or near designated bathing waters by 2035. Its national backstop target states that storm overflows should not discharge above an average of ten rainfall events annually by 2050.
Frequently asked questions
The programme includes a new pumping station and rising main at Westward Ho!, additional wastewater storage at Northam and a large storm storage tank at Velator in Braunton.
South West Water says the Velator storm storage tank will hold up to 750,000 litres of wastewater during periods of heavy rainfall.
Storm tanks temporarily hold excess wastewater when rainfall places the sewer network under pressure. The stored flows are returned to the network for treatment when capacity becomes available.
The overall programme is expected to be completed by summer 2027.
