South West Water cut storm overflow spills by 75% last year at its Teign Village Wastewater Treatment Works, near Newton Abbot in Devon – the site saw 131 storm overflow spills in 2023.

Thanks to targeted improvements the spills were reduced to 33 in 2024, despite it being the wettest hydrological year on record. The work at Teign Village included installing an above ground stainless steel storage tank to hold excess flows into the treatment works when the site is at capacity.

When the flows have reduced and the site can accept more wastewater, the tank will return its storage into the works for full treatment, reducing the number of spills to the environment. A screening unit removes debris before water enters the tank, and a manual washdown system helps keep the tank clean and working at full capacity.

Chris Anderson, South West Water's Director of Wastewater Services for Teign Village, said:

"We’re really pleased with the results we have seen so far from our new storm storage tank at Teign Village to reduce our storm overflow use and protect the local environment.

“As a business we are spending hundreds of millions to improve our storm overflow performance but at a local level it’s so rewarding to see these upgrades in place and having a really positive impact."

The water company is spending around £760 million over the next five years to reduce storm overflow spills across the region. South West Water is working to become the first water company to meet the government’s target of achieving less than 10 spills per overflow, per year, by 2040 – a decade ahead of target.