What we’re doing
South West Water is working with the Dartington community to reduce pollution from storm overflows and protect the River Dart and Bidwell Brook. This work is part of our Turning the Tide programme.
Our approach is guided by Green First, this ensures we prioritise nature-based solutions wherever possible. Instead of relying only on traditional “grey” infrastructure like tanks and pipes. We’re exploring natural interventions that slow down, soak up, or clean water before it causes problems.
These solutions can:
- Improve water quality and protect wildlife
- Reduce flood risk
- Enhance local green spaces
- Support climate resilience and community wellbeing
Proposed works
We’ll assess all four storm overflows in Dartington using our Green First framework, looking at how nature-based solutions can reduce spills and improve water quality. This could include:
- Natural basins to store surface water
- Vegetated channels to route flows
- Interventions in rural landscapes to manage runoff
These solutions will help prevent spills, support wildlife, reduce flood risk, and enhance the local landscape.
|
Date |
Activity |
|---|---|
| 2025 | Gathering data and mapping the landscape |
| 2025-2026 | Combining engineering data, site visits, and local insights to shortlist solutions |
| 2026 | Designing solutions and developing detailed plans |
| 2027-2028 | Construction and delivery – building green and grey infrastructure |
| 2028 onwards | Supporting maintenance and monitoring over time |
Works already completed
Over the past two years, we’ve:
- Investigated water quality in Bidwell Brook through the Dart & Tavy Pilot scheme.
- Worked with citizen scientists to monitor streams in the catchment.
- Built partnerships with local groups to shape sustainable solutions.