Green County Council candidates in Devon are calling for the nationalisation of South West Water. The call comes in the wake of water bills increasing by a third and Environment Agency data showing the company released sewage for more hours than any other water company in England during 2024. In Salcombe Regis a South West Water overflow spilled sewage for the whole of 2024. Meanwhile, a burst water pipe in Plymouth and surrounding areas this week has left homes, businesses and schools without water.
Huw Thomas, Green Party candidate for Bideford East, said:
“South West Water holds the record as the worst performing water company, releasing sewage into our rivers and seas for a breathtaking 544,429 hours in 2024. Meanwhile, the company’s owner, Pennon Group, issued £24.5 million in dividends to shareholders. This is reward for failure and people have had their fill.
“The Green Party has long called for water companies to be taken into public ownership so they work for people and the environment, not for private profit. South West Water, with its disgusting record on sewage spills and eye-watering bills should be front of the queue for nationalisation.”
Councillor Any Ketchin, Green Party candidate for St David’s and Haven Banks in Exeter, added:
“For decades, money that should have been invested in improved infrastructure has been siphoned off to water company executives and shareholders. It’s time to flush this failed experiment with privatisation down the drain and for a service as vital as water and sewage to be run for the public good.”
“Our rivers and waterways should be havens for wildlife and biodiversity and healthy places for people to enjoy. In too many cases they more closely resemble open sewers. It is clear, the answer is to take back control of water. Dwr Cymru Welsh Water is by far the best performing water company. It operates as a not-for-profit organisation with no shareholders and is run for public benefit.”