Tavistock people are fed up and they’re not the only ones. Across Devon, Cornwall and beyond, rivers and seas are experiencing an unprecedented amount of raw sewage discharges.

Sewage pollution in our natural waterways is leaving locals understandably angry and despite the Environment Agency officially declaring drought in Devon, storm overflows have been active during the long dry spell of weather.

Storm overflows, also known as Combined Sewer Overflows (CSOs), are “built into the sewerage network and may operate automatically during heavy rainfall to protect properties, businesses and streets from flooding”, according to information published on South West Water’s website.

However, in Tavistock numerous residents are reporting either seeing “effluent spilling into Tavistock College sports grounds” or “getting sick (after swimming) in parts of the River Tavy”. Others reported (between July 19 - August 3) the river and stream next to the skate park in the Meadows “absolutely stinks of sewage”.

A South West Water (SWW) spokesperson said: "We understand local concerns and have investigated recent alerts from our monitoring equipment in Tavistock. At Crowndale and [Tavistock College] Playing Field, brief spills were recorded on July 19 when local rainfall was recorded.”

Many locals have expressed concerns regarding more homes planned for Tavistock and whether the sewerage system will be place under further pressure.

John Grayling said: “South West Water are nothing but an utter disgrace.” While other locals described sewage pollution as “utterly disgusting” and “shameful”.

Tavistock residents have been swimming in the River Tavy for generations, but now they are concerned about the health risks – and are “deeply worried” about the nature and wildlife affected by sewage pollution.

Despite this, there is no routine microbiological monitoring required of water companies or undertaken by the EA for inland rivers, except for designated bathing waters – and the River Tavy is not a designated bathing water.

Swimming in water that contains untreated sewage can lead to nasty bacterial infections such as E. coli or waterborne parasites getting into the human body. One woman who unknowingly swam in “dirty water” in the River Tavy said she “developed a high fever and an infection, and had to go to hospital to be put on IV antibiotics”.

Sewage pollution in the River Tavy has left locals angry
A local woman captured images of the sewage pollution (Trudy Eperon)

Wild swimming-related illness are tricky to prove as there can be other factors at play such consuming unsafe food or picking up germs elsewhere. However, dozens of locals, including families, have said they’ve become unwell after swimming in the River Tavy or other river locations on Dartmoor.

One of the CSOs affecting the River Tavy is the Pixon Lane CSO – and numerous sewage spills were confirmed at the location between July 19 - August 4 via the Surfers Against Sewage (SAS) Live Map.

A SWW spokesperson said: “We are actively working on long-term improvements to reduce spills at these sites as part of our investment programme.

“At Pixon Lane, our investigation found that recent alerts were caused by a fault with the monitor. Site inspections have found no evidence of a spill, and the incorrect readings will be removed from the data we publish."

But, Paul Macky McEvoy said: “Recently there has been effluent spilling into Tavistock College sports grounds.”

Tavistock resident Jamie Henson has been “researching South West Water's sewage discharges in and around our town”.

He said: “I believe the scale and frequency of these spills, combined with the prolonged timelines for infrastructure upgrades, raise serious questions about whether the current system is adequately protecting local communities and rivers.”

“Through Environmental Information Regulations requests, South West Water has confirmed to me that there are ongoing concerns relating to the combined sewer overflows at Tavistock College Playing Field, Westbridge Cottages and Crowndale Cottages.

“For many local people, this is unacceptable. We have children using playing fields, people walking alongside local watercourses and residents who expect a modern sewage system, not one that continues to rely on repeated storm overflow discharges. If a pattern emerges of repeated discharges during dry weather, I believe that is something the public has a right to understand.”

Wildlife can also be negatively impacted by sewage pollution - these ducks are in a cleaner part of the river
A cleaner part of the river (Katie Oborn)

Some Tavistock residents also suggested water companies should be nationalised and raised the point that MPs should be contesting the issue more frequently in parliament. MP Sir Geoffrey Cox was contacted for comment on this issue, but he has not yet provided a response.

On July 19, Trudy Eperon said: “The little stream next to the skate park in The Meadows, it absolutely stinks of sewage. We had a few drops of rain, certainly not a downpour, after many dry days, and it seems it was an excuse to flood the river with sewage.”

Recent data from the Environment Agency (EA) revealed that just 1 in 7 of England’s rivers, lakes and estuaries are “healthy”.

The latest Water Environment (Water Framework Directive) Regulations (WFDR) classifications will provide information to water companies, farmers and stakeholders to see where further action is needed.

Chair of the EA, Alan Lovell said: “The latest Water Environment (WFD) Classification help us understand where water bodies are improving and where further action is needed. The results show that too many water bodies are still not achieving the standards we want to see.

“We share the public’s ambition for faster progress which is why we are transforming our enforcement work with better data, stronger powers and our largest ever enforcement workforce.”

Anyone experiencing sickness after swimming in rivers or seas can submit a sickness report via the SAS website or the app, Safer Seas & Rivers service: Submit a sickness report - Surfers Against Sewage

People can report a suspected sewage or water pollution incident via South West Water’s report a problem section on their website: Report a problem | South West Water

The Rivers Trust website has useful information on how to report a river concern via the Environment Agency: How to report pollution incidents in a river | The Rivers Trust

South Water are investing £760 million to reduce Storm Overflow use across the South West and are on track to meet new Environment Act bathing waters standards by 2030.