Clean Sweep

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South West Water's £2 billion project has transformed the region's bathing waters and sewerage network.

In two just decades, 250 crude sewage outfalls have been closed and a further 140 complementary projects carried out in order to modernise sewage treatment in the South West.

This major investment has improved water quality at 144 bathing sites in the South West. The final scheme at Polperro in Cornwall was completed in 2011. 

Twenty years ago, many communities lacked the most basic sewage treatment and the region's reputation as a tourist haven was under threat.

After spending £100 million on its inland waste water programme, South West Water has further helped clean up the region's rivers and ensuring they remain healthy ecosystems to support strong fish stocks and other wildlife.

Clean Sweep Timeline

Clean Sweep locations

Delivery year

Bigbury/Challaborough, Devon 1992
Bude, Cornwall, 1992
Seaton, Devon 1992
Thurlestone, Devon 1992
Teign Estuary, Devon 1993
Fowey, Cornwall, 1995
Gorran Haven, Cornwall 1995
Lyme Regis, Dorset 1995
Mawgan Porth, Cornwall 1995
Pentewan, Cornwall 1995
Perranporth, Cornwall 1995
Portwrinkle, Cornwall 1995
Salcombe, Devon 1995
Penzance, Cornwall 1996
St Agnes, Cornwall 1996
Camel Estuary, Cornwall 1997
Exmouth, Devon 1997
Ilfracombe, Devon 1997
Lynmouth, Devon 1997
Mevagissey, Cornwall 1997
Porthleven, Cornwall 1997
Taw/Torridge, Devon 1997
Combe Martin, Devon 1998
Looe, Cornwall 1998
Plymouth, Devon 1998
Seaton/Downderry, Cornwall 1998
Wembury, Devon 1998
Newquay, Cornwall 1999
Porthallow, Cornwall 1999
Dawlish, Devon 2000
Ernesettle, Devon 2000
Falmouth, Cornwall 2000
Saltash, Cornwall 2000
Sidmouth, Devon 2000
Camborne, Cornwall 2001
Dartmouth, Devon 2002
Torbay, Devon 2002
St Austell, Cornwall 2005
Stoke Fleming, Devon 2005
Cape Cornwall 2006
St Gennys, Cornwall 2007
Treknow, Cornwall 2007
Polperro, Cornwall 2011