Work on a new system to reduce sewage spills by carrying away surface water and trapping storm water in a new storage tank in Dawlish is now complete, South West Water has said.

The current combined sewers are built for both sewage and rainwater. When it rains for a long period, they often overflow, and raw sewage is directed into watercourses and the sea to prevent flooding on land.

The upgrades are designed to help reduce such spills. A total of 594 hours of sewage discharges into the sea and Dawlish Water (the Brook) were logged in 2021*, and a total of 939 hours in 2020*.

South West Water Project Manager Victoria Hutchins said: "The new surface water sewer will transport rainwater that falls onto roofs, roads and driveways safely back to the environment without it entering our wastewater network.

"As well as this, a new storm storage tank below the car parking area of Manor House will help relieve pressure on the combined sewers in the area during prolonged periods of wet weather."

The Manor House, Dawlish. The storage tank for storm water has been put in below the car park (Nub News, Will Goddard)

The work on the new system began in June 2021. It saw road closures in Dawlish to install the system, including on Longlands, Stockton Road, Old Town Street, Penfield Gardens and Brook Street.

*Ed: Numbers include Holcombe, as this affects Coryton Cove bathing waters.