"Reckless" South West Water (SWW) has been fined £7.87m, the largest environmental penalty ever imposed in Devon and Cornwall, after admitting to a series of pollution offences over a six-year period.

It is the largest ever fine imposed for environmental offences in the region.

Sentencing the company at Plymouth Magistrates’ Court on 29 September, District Judge Matson said pollution incidents "will not be tolerated" and repeatedly described SWW's actions as reckless failures in management and risk control.

SWW pleaded guilty to 18 charges, including 17 illegal water discharge offences and one offence relating to a failure to take remedial action following a pumping station breakdown. The offences occurred between 2015 and 2021 across sites in Devon and Cornwall, including Bodmin, Harlyn, Polperro, Playing Place and Plymouth.

The judge said it was "significant and incredibly concerning" that such a large number of spills went undetected by the company and also criticised SWW for attempting to minimise its responsibility despite pleading guilty.

In addition to the fine, SWW was ordered to pay £329,993 in costs and a £120 victim surcharge, with all penalties due within 56 days.

This follows an earlier prosecution in 2023, when South West Water was fined £2.15 million for 13 separate pollution offences.

The Environment Agency said hundreds of pollution incidents occurred in some of the South West's most popular beaches and environmentally sensitive areas.

Clarissa Newell, area environment manager at the Environment Agency, said: "South West Water have promised the public that one pollution is too many, and our officers are out every day holding them to account.

"We hope this record fine will influence a new approach for South West Water, where protecting the environment takes priority in spending decisions."

Environment secretary Angela Eagle added: "This sentence sends a clear message: if water companies wilfully ignore their obligations, they will face the full consequences of their actions.

"That’s why we’re overhauling the water system to give the public control, with tougher regulation, stronger enforcement and greater accountability, so water companies deliver for customers and the environment."

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