The River Otter

We’re investing to improve the River Otter

Our investment programme to protect and improve the health of the River Otter is part of our largest-ever environmental initiative, with £1 billion committed to wastewater improvements across the South West. This includes our £760 million Turning the Tide investment targeted at reducing the use of storm overflows.

There are a number of factors that impact water quality in the River Otter. We’re focusing investment in the Lower Otter, the section of river closest to the sea. This is where improvements in the water system will have the most impact. 

We have plans to address all 18 storm overflows on the Lower Otter - you can see these plans below. We are also upgrading pumping stations and sewage treatment works in the area, which should reduce use of storm overflows and increase the quality of treated water released into the river.

What we’re doing to improve river health

We’re working alongside local communities, landowners, MPs and local groups to deliver long-term improvements that will enhance water quality in the River Otter.

Recent upgrades include:

• Fluxton Sewage Treatment Works: A major upgrade means these works now treat flows that used to go to Ottery St Mary Sewage Treatment Works. The wastewater is treated to a higher standard, which will benefit the health of rivers where the treated water is released.
• Churchinford STW: We’ve installed new equipment which removes more phosphorus from treated water, reducing the levels in water released from our treatment works. Phosphorus is not harmful to human health, but it can damage river ecosystems.
• Honiton STW: Sewers have been relined, and manholes have been sealed. This means less groundwater is making its way into underground pipes and the overflows discharge less.
• East Budleigh Pumping Station: We’ve upgraded pumps, so the system is less likely to be overwhelmed, reducing the risk of needing to use overflows.
• Granary Lane, Budleigh Salterton: We’ve reduced the amount of groundwater entering the sewer system and upgraded 880 metres of pipework to help prevent leaks and blockages.

Future projects include:

• Feniton STW: Planned upgrade by 2030 to reduce nitrate levels.
• Upottery STW: Major upgrade by 2030 to improve treated water quality.
• Honiton STW: Further improvements by 2035 to improve treated water quality.
• Further details can be seen below.

We are prioritising the places that need intervention the most; for example, where spills happen most frequently or where the local environment is particularly sensitive.

How spills are counted:

Where the target of <10 spills per annum is referenced in the tables below, <10 spills is an average annual count measured over a 10-year period. This means there should be no more than 100 spills over any 10-year period.

Frequently asked questions