Exeter Lib Dems launch petition demanding South West Water publish a near real-time sewage discharge map

Exeter Lib Dem Parliamentary Candidate, Will Aczel, has launched a petition calling on South West Water to publish a near real-time map of sewage discharges.

Will said: “South West Water has been rated ‘red – significantly below target’ for pollution every year since records began in 2011. It is one of only two (out of nine) English water companies to be rated this poorly. All the while, our bills and bosses' bonuses are both sky-high. As a result, public trust and confidence in the water company is as low as ever.

“An easy way for South West Water to improve trust would be to publish a near real-time sewage discharge map, following Thames Water's lead. Currently, South West Water publishes near real-time data on the likely pollution risk for blue flag beaches, but not for our rivers or actual discharges.

“South West Water has to monitor all sewage discharge points, by law. Since the data is there, why not publish it? This would greatly improve transparency, trust, and our enjoyment of Devon’s wonderful waterways.”

Want to know what's going on in our rivers? Sign the petition today.