What we’re doing
We’re investing in improvements to reduce storm overflow spills in the Taw Torridge Estuary. This work is part of our Turning the Tide programme which will invest £760m to target storm overflows throughout the region, finding tailor-made solutions for each place.
These upgrades will help protect local bathing waters at Westward Ho! and Saunton Sands by reducing storm overflow spills into the estuary and improving water quality.
Programme of works
|
Date |
Activity |
|---|---|
| January 2026 | Tree and vegetation clearance at Buckleigh to avoid nesting season. |
| May 2026 | Start building new access route for Velator pumping station. |
| July 2026 | Begin screening chamber works at Causeway Close. |
| August 2026 | Start construction of new pumping station at Buckleigh. |
| 2026 to 2027 | Continue works at Velator pumping station and Velator storm overflow, including storm storage installation. |
| March 2027 | All works complete and sites reinstated. |
Projects underway
Buckleigh (Westward Ho!)
Building a new pumping station in the grounds of The Laundry – Tree felling will be necessary within the grounds of the Laundry, however part of the area is subject to Tree Protection Orders and will remain untouched. Installing a new rising main to carry flows to Cornborough sewage treatment works. Tree felling works will begin in January 2026 to avoid nesting season.
Causeway Close (Northam)
Building a new screening chamber on private land near the existing overflow. This will include a small diversion of the mains to allow flow and return. We’ll work with landowners to agree access and keep disruption to a minimum. Some traffic management will be needed, but the road will stay open.
Works are planned to start in July 2026, subject to land notices and final design.
Velator (Braunton)
Installing a new storm storage tank within the grounds of the existing pumping station. Because the current access is too narrow and the bridge cannot take heavy construction vehicles, we’ll build a new access route from Wrafton across open land to the site. This route will pass through Barn Park, so residents will be informed. The site is also close to RAF Chivenor, and they will be notified.
Works will begin with the new access track in May 2026.
1. Infiltration
Infiltration is when surface water or groundwater enters our sewers in places it's not meant to (e.g. through manhole covers).
This means that a lot more wastewater enters the sewers and increases the risk of activating our storm overflows.
To stop infiltration we'll be lining, repairing and replacing our pipes and manhole covers in hotspot areas. We call this rehabilitation work.
2. Storm storage
Storm water is the number one cause of storm overflows. The huge rainfalls we're experiencing as climate change takes hold are overwhelming our sewers, meaning our storm tanks fill up faster and start overflowing before our pumps have chance to reduce the volume inside them.
We're hoping that our work to reduce infiltration will help reduce the amount of storm water entering our sewers.
But, we're also making sure there's enough storage to hold it all. That's why we're looking into building a brand new storm tank near The Ham.
3. Combined sewers
Combined sewers carry both foul sewage from homes and businesses and rainwater from roofs, paved areas and in some areas, run off from roads to the treatment works. Rainwater itself doesn’t need treatment before being released back into rivers, but where it enters a combined sewer network it uses valuable capacity and adds pressure to our pumps and storm tanks.
The best way to reduce this pressure is to separate foul and surface water flows. By building one sewer for foul sewage and another for rainwater, we can keep clean water out of the treatment process and release it safely back into rivers after passing through an oil interceptor. Customers can also play a big part by keeping rainwater out of combined sewers, for example through soakaways or other drainage solutions. Checking how your roof and driveway runoff is connected can make a difference. If none of your surface water drains to the public sewer, you may qualify for a lower bill and help ease pressure on the system during wet weather.
4. Our storm overflows
Following extensive investigations, the work we're doing in this scheme is expected to significantly reduce our reliance on the storm overflows in Sidmouth.
But, they will still play an important role in internal flood-prevention. That's why we're investing in their maintenance - upgrading their screens and relocating our monitoring chambers.
This work will help reduce the impact of overflows on the environment, and allow us to better monitor, check and maintain the overflows.