An update on the investigation, and the permit applications

We have duly made the permit variation applications South West Water have submitted. This means we have all the information we need to determine the permit variations. The next step is to consult you on the application documents, and we are working with representatives from Exmouth Town Council, ESCAPE, Budleigh Salterton Town Council and East Devon District Council to design a consultation that works for you. We will be in touch with more details about this soon.

We have also concluded our 13-month investigation into pollution incidents that took place in Exmouth in 2023 and 2024. Now that all relevant evidence has been collected, as regulator we have taken the decision to prosecute South West Water.

Ten charges have been laid at Exeter Magistrates’ Court and we await a date for the first hearing.