Skip to content
Bramble

UK

South West Water fined £7.87m over sewage pollution offences in Devon and Cornwall

Plymouth magistrates fined South West Water almost £8m for pollution offences between 2015 and 2021. The company apologised and cites investment; an MP called the penalty a slap on the wrist.

4 outlets · 1L · 2C · 1R First reported Account updated

Updated (version 2). New coverage since the last version from The Times of India.

Image: City A.M.
Image: The Times of India
Image: The Guardian

1 / 3

The story, neutrally told

South West Water was fined almost £8m for hundreds of sewage spills across Devon and Cornwall over a six-year period. The Guardian gives the figure as £7,867,733, imposed at Plymouth magistrates court, and calls it the largest fine for environmental offences in the region. The offences took place between January 2015 and July 2021 at locations including Bodmin, Harlyn, Polperro, Plymouth and Playing Place.

The outlets differ on the number of guilty pleas: City A.M. reports 24 charges, while the Guardian reports 18. Both say 17 concerned illegal discharges and one concerned failing to take remedial measures after a pumping station failure. The Guardian describes an incident in August 2019 when untreated sewage came through Polperro harbour wall on a bank holiday weekend, and 231 illegal discharges at Harlyn between 2016 and 2021. District Judge Jo Matson called the offences "horrendous" and said pollution by water companies would not be tolerated.

According to the Guardian, the judge found the company had tried to minimise its role rather than show remorse; City A.M. reports the judge took account of changes made since, saying "only time will tell" if they work. South West Water apologised, calling the matters historic and saying most charges concerned overflows in storm conditions. It said it is investing £760m and has cut spills by 17% in a year. The Environment Agency's Clarissa Newell said the agency hopes the record fine will lead to a new approach at the company.

Environment secretary Angela Eagle said the company repeatedly broke the law, and Liberal Democrat MP Ben Maguire called the fine a slap on the wrist and urged prison sentences for those responsible. Six further charges over Holywell sewage pumping station are to be considered at a later date. The company must pay within 56 days, and the Guardian reports costs of £329,993.

Every sentence links to the reporting it rests on.

Left1 outlet

Framing
Detailed account of the harm and failures, with the judge's criticism of the company and political reaction, including the government's water overhaul and calls for tougher penalties.
Emphasis
Damage to bathing spots and habitats, the 10-hour response delay, the judge's finding of minimisation, Maguire's criticism.
Leaves out or plays down
Does not report the judge's comment about taking changes since into account.
Charged language
“rotten executives”“slap on the wrist”
For example
“The judge repeatedly found the company’s conduct amounted to reckless failures in management systems and response to known risks.” — The Guardian

Centre2 outlets

Framing
Short headline and lede stressing the size of the fine and the scenic locations affected.
Emphasis
Scale: almost £8m, hundreds of spillages, six years.
Leaves out or plays down
Gives little detail on the charges, judge's remarks or reactions.
Charged language
“beauty spots”
For example
“South West Water (SWW) has been fined almost £8m for hundreds of sewage spillages across Devon and Cornwall over a six-year period.” — Sky News

Right1 outlet

Framing
Business-style report leading with the fine and the judge's word 'horrendous', giving space to the company's statement and the Environment Agency.
Emphasis
Judge's remarks including recognition of changes made since, and the company's investment figures.
Leaves out or plays down
Omits the judge's finding that the company tried to minimise its role, the political reaction and the costs order.
Charged language
“horrendous”“hit with”
For example
“I have also taken into account the changes that SWW have made since then.” — City A.M.