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 tank will hold up to 2,600,000 litres of storm flow. 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.

Road closures:

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.