Improving river and sea water quality in Dawlish
How we're investing
Customer information event
Come and meet us to find out more about our works in Dawlish
Date: 9 September 2024
Location: The Strand Centre, 32 The Strand, Dawlish, EX7 9PT
- 5:30pm – Arrival
- 6pm – An update on the new storm tanks
- 6:30pm – An update on surface water separation works
- 7pm – Meeting ends
Providing you with better water quality
We’re investing to reduce the use of storm overflows in Dawlish, helping to improve water quality in local rivers and the sea.
Storm overflows work like a safety valve on the wastewater system. They are typically used when heavy rain overwhelms the system. We’re committed to reducing reliance on storm overflows, helping to improve water quality in rivers and the sea, especially in bathing waters.
Finding solutions for each area
To address storm overflow use across the region, we need to find tailor-made solutions for each area. In 2025, The Lawns in the centre of Dawlish will be the location of a new underground storage tank.
The storage tanks at The Lawns and Sandy Lane will hold up to 2200m3 (2,200,000 litres) of storm flow at each location. This will mean more wastewater can be stored at times of heavy rainfall then treated, reducing our reliance on storm overflows in Dawlish. We plan to complete the work by May 2026.
Once the work is complete, the investment should result in improved water quality in the sea and rivers around Dawlish.
Video update – August 2025
We’ve teamed up with a local videographer to bring you a progress update on our works in Dawlish.
Traffic management plan for surface water separation works
Programme update - 1st September 2025
|
Date |
Activity |
|---|---|
|
Tuesday 8 July to Friday 5 September |
Third Avenue extension to works until 5 September. |
|
Tuesday 26 August to Monday 8 September |
Third Avenue and Private Road & Field. Early start due to West Cliff groundwater delays. Works at the Field (Compound area) and connecting to Private Lane in Third Avenue. |
|
Monday 8 September to Friday 12 September |
Works in Third Avenue recreational ground, Third Avenue Private Road, Churchill Avenue and West Cliff Road West Cliff Road under 3-way lights |
|
Monday 8 September 2025 – Friday 14 November 2025 |
Road Closure - Brunswick Place to allow works to the storm overflow and the upsize of the existing pipework to create more storage within the system. |
|
Monday September 8 to Friday 28 November |
Brook Street – Road Closure Construction of a new 50m3 storage tank, Combined Sewer Outfall and associated mechanical and electrical installation works. |
|
Monday 15 September to Friday 24 October |
West Cliff Road - 2 and 3 way lights |
|
Monday 20 October to Sunday 2 November |
Elm Grove Road – Road Closure |
|
Saturday 25 October to Sunday 2 November |
West Cliff Road – Road Closure |
|
Monday November 3 to Friday December 12 |
West Cliff Drive, West Cliff Close, Lea Mount Close - 4-way Lights |
Works taking place September to November 2025
Completed work
Testimonials
I would like to thank all the positive work being carried out by Southwest water staff and employed contractors. All have communicated closely with both the community and town council on the vast project that is being undertaken. We have benefited from having Lynda Sudlow available in person twice a week, who has not only been able to keep us all updated, she has introduced us to Carl and most of all the contractors on site. In relation to the contractors, they have been more than accommodating to us, moving and securing the flagpole and ensuring all areas are clean and serviceable for our events. Some speak Welsh which for me is an extra bonus.
Councilor Anthony James
Mayor of Dawlish
The way they are working is of benefit to Dawlish and SWW are doing all they can to work with the shops in the strand to make sure the shops can continue to trade.
SWW have also made allowances when Dawlish council have had events on the lawn which meant the work had to stop for a short while.
In all aspects of the work the contractor has worked to make sure all people living in Dawlish have the least disruption.
Councilor Lynda Littlewood
Deputy Mayor
Challenges in Dawlish
In Dawlish, the wastewater network is under increased pressure due to rapid growth, which means more homes need to use the sewers. Climate change is also bringing heavy rainfall, which adds to the volume in the system.
Most of the town has a system of combined sewers, which means wastewater from toilets and sinks mixes with rainwater that runs off roofs, roads and the land. With increased rain, this results in a higher risk of storm overflows being used.
A new storage tank under the Lawns
Climate change is bringing periods of heavier rainfall. There are storm tanks to hold this water until it can be treated, but the intensity of rain means they sometimes run out of capacity.
We’re looking into building a new storm tank under the Lawn, which would store wastewater at times of heavy flow.