South West Water urged to deliver extra sewage treatment in Isles of Scilly

South West Water need to improve the wastewater infrastructure on the Isles of Scilly. We welcome investment that will reduce environmental risks, improve resilience and better protect the islands' sensitive coastal and marine environment.

Our role is to make sure any proposed solution meets the required legal and environmental standards. South West Water must demonstrate this through the environmental permitting process.

Government policy currently requires secondary treatment for coastal discharges serving communities above 2,000 population equivalents, unless a robust case is made and accepted for an alternative approach.

South West Water initially applied for pre-application advice for their proposal of a fine screening plant and a new long sea outfall as an alternative to secondary treatment. Following recent engagement with the Environment Agency and the local community, South West Water has revised its infrastructure plans to include secondary wastewater treatment. The company has said this will require further technical assessments to address the significant challenges of operating on the islands, particularly the transportation and disposal of the resulting sludge.

We will assess the revised proposals through the environmental permitting process once we receive South West Water’s full permit application and have the information needed to determine it.