Storm Overflow Upgrades in East Cornwall Making a Difference: South West Water Leads the Way

South West Water teams are working hard to reduce the use of storm overflows in Cornwall, with environmental improvements already being made in East Cornwall. The company’s ongoing programme aims to reduce the strain on treatment sites by addressing issues such as groundwater infiltration into sewers and upgrading essential infrastructure.

Improvements at Beals Mill, Near Launceston

One location where these efforts are already proving effective is Beals Mill, located in the River Inny valley near Launceston. Here, South West Water’s operational and engineering teams have installed new solutions after discovering that groundwater was entering the local sewer network, adding unnecessary pressure on the system.

The recent wet weather, including the wettest February on record, intensified the need for these changes. With climate change expected to bring more frequent and heavy rainfall, South West Water has implemented long-term upgrades to help local communities and the environment.

New Storm Tank and Sewer Repairs

As part of the improvements, a storm tank capable of storing up to 40,000 litres of wastewater has been installed at Beals Mill. This extra capacity will help prevent overflows during heavy rainfall. In addition, a new screening plant, upgrades to the local pumping station, and repairs to nearby sewers have all been completed to stop groundwater from entering the system.

Karl Stone, South West Water’s Area Operations Manager, is part of the team overseeing these changes in East Cornwall. Karl commented on the progress made at Beals Mill, stating that the improvements have already made a significant difference to the treatment process and environmental performance of the site.

Future Goals

South West Water teams are now working to implement similar solutions across the region, aiming to meet government targets of reducing storm overflows to fewer than 10 spills per overflow each year by 2040. This programme of work puts the company at the forefront of the effort to reduce the environmental impact of storm overflows in the South West.

Photo: Karl Stone Beals Mill