A Statement from Ofwat

We have been sent the below statement from Ofwat, which we wanted to share with you and may inform your consultation response.

In September 2025, Ofwat concluded an enforcement investigation with South West Water in relation to how it operated its wastewater treatment works and networks. It found that the company had failed to construct, operate and maintain a large proportion of its wastewater assets to ensure sufficient performance. Ofwat accepted legally binding undertakings requiring the company to address capacity and resilience issues across its wastewater assets. The company is now required to develop and deliver a remediation plan to address identified issues as quickly and efficiently as reasonably possible, taking account of deliverability, affordability and financeability.

As part of the remediation plan Maer Lane WWTW requires further investigation and remediation due to several existing performance concerns.

Ofwat is aware that these existing issues are relevant when considering the new outfall at Straight Point, which will see the transfer of additional flows to Maer Lane WWTW as a result of South West Water revising its WINEP schemes at Maer Road and Phear Park pumping stations. As part of its remediation plan South West Water must ensure that its WWTW can and will continue to be able to handle the flows coming to them. In the case of Maer Lane WWTW, this should include any additional flows arising from the company's revised WINEP scheme solutions.

Ofwat will take these matters into account when agreeing, and subsequently monitoring, the company's remediation plan, helping to hold the company to account for the delivery timescales it has committed to and continuing to challenge it on whether there are opportunities to deliver faster. If the company fails to deliver in line with its commitment in its undertakings Ofwat can take further enforcement action. Ofwat will also keep under review whether there is any further action it must take as a result of its failure to deliver its original WINEP scheme outcomes on time.