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Improving bathing water in Combe Martin through innovative partnership projects
The Water Industry National Environment Programme (WINEP) is a cornerstone of environmental regulation in England, setting out the actions water companies must deliver to meet statutory obligations and contribute to wider environmental goals. AMP7, which covered 1 April 2020 to 31 March 2025, represented one of the most ambitious WINEP cycles to date, with over 11,900 actions aimed at improving water quality, protecting biodiversity, and supporting sustainable water resources. The case study below provides an example of one of the completed AMP7 projects.
The Combe Martin bathing water catchment scheme aims to deliver sustainable solutions for combined sewer overflows. By collaborating with key organisations and authorities, the scheme explores integrated solutions to improve designated bathing waters which have previously been classified as ‘Poor’.
The scheme has facilitated partnership working on catchment initiatives with local groups and innovative pilot projects. South West Water (SWW) and the Environment Agency (EA) have worked with the Catchment Sensitive Farming Partnership, Devon Wildlife Trust, Natural England, the Woodland Trust, local landowners, local businesses, and the public.
The scheme piloted smart water butts at customer properties to demonstrate the benefits water storage solutions, including controlling water runoff from roofs and providing a free water source for customers. SWW funded most of the catchment works, with the EA, local landowners, businesses, and other organisations providing match funding for specific elements of the programme.
Following implementation of the scheme, the bathing water classification has improved from the ‘Poor’ to ‘Sufficient’ in 2021 and has been consistently ‘Good’ since 2022. This improvement has protected the village tourist industry from the potential impacts of a de-designation of the bathing waters and increased local awareness of the various impacts on water quality.
Tree planting in the Umber catchment
Smart water butt installed at customer property
Improving bathing water in Combe Martin through innovative partnership projects
The Water Industry National Environment Programme (WINEP) is a cornerstone of environmental regulation in England, setting out the actions water companies must deliver to meet statutory obligations and contribute to wider environmental goals. AMP7, which covered 1 April 2020 to 31 March 2025, represented one of the most ambitious WINEP cycles to date, with over 11,900 actions aimed at improving water quality, protecting biodiversity, and supporting sustainable water resources. The case study below provides an example of one of the completed AMP7 projects.
The Combe Martin bathing water catchment scheme aims to deliver sustainable solutions for combined sewer overflows. By collaborating with key organisations and authorities, the scheme explores integrated solutions to improve designated bathing waters which have previously been classified as ‘Poor’.
The scheme has facilitated partnership working on catchment initiatives with local groups and innovative pilot projects. South West Water (SWW) and the Environment Agency (EA) have worked with the Catchment Sensitive Farming Partnership, Devon Wildlife Trust, Natural England, the Woodland Trust, local landowners, local businesses, and the public.
The scheme piloted smart water butts at customer properties to demonstrate the benefits water storage solutions, including controlling water runoff from roofs and providing a free water source for customers. SWW funded most of the catchment works, with the EA, local landowners, businesses, and other organisations providing match funding for specific elements of the programme.
Following implementation of the scheme, the bathing water classification has improved from the ‘Poor’ to ‘Sufficient’ in 2021 and has been consistently ‘Good’ since 2022. This improvement has protected the village tourist industry from the potential impacts of a de-designation of the bathing waters and increased local awareness of the various impacts on water quality.
Tree planting in the Umber catchment 
Smart water butt installed at customer property