SOUTH West Water is tackling drainage misconnections across the region as part of wider efforts to reduce pollution in local rivers and streams.

Estimates suggest there are around 16,000 misconnected properties across the South West, which can result in untreated wastewater entering local rivers and streams.

In 2025, South West Water teams identified and worked to resolve 539 properties with misconnections, at a cost of over £200,000.

Most properties are connected to two separate drainage systems:

• The foul sewer which carries wastewater from homes to treatment works;

• The surface water drain which carries rainwater from guttering on roofs, driveways and roads to nearby rivers or streams.

A misconnection refers to situations where these systems have been incorrectly connected into each other.

A foul sewer connection into a surface water drain results in untreated sewage being discharged directly into local watercourses.

Surface water drains being connected into the foul sewer can lead to the sewer network becoming overwhelmed and causing storm overflows to activate.

Even small misconnections can have an impact on local waterways affecting plants, wildlife and water quality.

Customers can help by looking out for signs of a pollution in their local area including:

• Fatty substances and sewerage related debris in streams or rivers;

• Foam in the water which appears as bright white suds or soap bubbles;

• Sewage fungus which appears as grey, feathery growths on riverbeds;

• Discoloured water near outfalls or surface water drains;

• Fragrant detergent smells like washing powder and laundry detergents.

For more information about misconnections, and the work South West Water is doing to tackle them, visit www.southwestwater.co.uk/misconnections