South West Water will start work on a £2 million storm water project next week to deliver even cleaner seas off Combe Martin ahead of upcoming EU Bathing Water Directive requirements.
The water company is constructing a 300 cubic metre underground storage tank in the privately owned Glen Lyn car park and a 325 cubic metre underground storage tank in the parish council coach park. Improvements will also be made to two sewage pumping stations in the village.
The additional storm water storage capacity in the sewerage network and other improvements will reduce the number of storm discharges into the River Umber during extremely wet weather.
The schemes are designed to improve bathing water quality at Combe Martin ahead of the European Union's revised Bathing Water Directive, which comes into effect in 2015.
Senior Project Manager Mike Court said:
"This represents a major investment in bathing water quality, which will benefit the tourism industry in Combe Martin.
"We believe that, with the help of the local community, this major investment will help deliver even cleaner seas for Combe Martin, in time for the new European bathing water standards next year.”
South West Water has invested more than £2billion to transform bathing water quality across the region over the past 20 years
During 2014/15 the company will be spending up to £20 million on a range of schemes further to improve bathing water quality at Lyme Regis, Teignmouth, Torbay, Mothecombe, Seaton (Cornwall), Looe and Combe Martin in preparation for the European Union's revised bathing water directive
South West Water commented:
“The investment will be financed from South West Water's own resources and will not impact on the average household bill. South West Water is the only water company currently committed to this early investment.”
According to its AMP6 business plan for 2015-20, the firm plans to invest an extra £42 million to deliver further bathing water improvements.
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