As millions of visitors head to coastal areas for summer holidays, water companies across the UK face increased pressure on their wastewater networks. South West Water has outlined the routine maintenance and monitoring work its teams carry out each year to prepare the network and protect bathing waters during the bathing season.
Routine maintenance across the wastewater network
South West Water’s teams conduct routine checks and maintenance throughout the year to ensure wastewater systems operate effectively. In the weeks leading up to and during the bathing season, staff visit wastewater treatment works, sewage pumping stations, and storm overflows across the South West to check equipment, clear debris, and carry out essential maintenance.
Catchment Operators Tyler Lovanna and James Webber are among the teams performing this work. Tyler explained the importance of these pre-season inspections: “When we visit one of our sewage pumping stations, we check our pumps are working properly and clear any debris or rag that may be trapped in them, in our screens or on site as small issues can affect how the system performs if they are not dealt with.”
The work includes checking nearby outfalls for debris and verifying that monitoring systems are working effectively. By identifying and addressing potential problems early, the company can reduce environmental impact during peak demand periods.
Water quality monitoring and sampling
The Environment Agency carries out routine bathing water sampling and provides official water quality results during the bathing season. South West Water also conducts additional bacterial sampling to support regulatory work and investigation at priority bathing waters, helping build a clearer understanding of local water quality and inform targeted investment.
Helen Dobby, Head of Environmental Performance at South West Water, said: “We know how important bathing waters are to the people who live in and visit the South West, and we want people to feel confident enjoying our beaches and coastline throughout the summer. As well as the major investment we are making to reduce storm overflows and improve water quality, our teams are working across the region all year round.”
Supporting long-term water quality improvements
Routine maintenance and monitoring of wastewater networks form part of a long-term approach to environmental protection. The work ensures that systems continue to operate effectively under increased summer demand while supporting broader improvements in bathing water quality across coastal regions.
For more information about South West Water’s environmental work, visit South West Water’s rivers and bathing waters page.
FAQ
Why does wastewater network maintenance increase before the bathing season?
Summer holiday periods bring millions of additional visitors to coastal areas, significantly increasing demand on wastewater infrastructure. Proactive maintenance helps prevent system failures and reduces the risk of environmental spills during peak usage.
What do Catchment Operators do?
Catchment Operators inspect and maintain wastewater treatment facilities, including pumping stations and outfalls. They check equipment, clear blockages and debris, and identify issues that could affect system performance.
How does South West Water monitor bathing water quality?
The Environment Agency conducts routine official sampling. South West Water also carries out additional bacterial sampling at priority locations to better understand local conditions and support targeted environmental improvements.
What are storm overflows?
Storm overflows are safety valves in wastewater systems that release excess water during heavy rainfall events to prevent sewage backing up into homes and streets. South West Water is investing to reduce reliance on these overflows.
