Cornwall Council to vote on clean water motion seeking public ownership of South West Water
Cross-party campaign demands action on water service failures
Cornwall Council will consider a historic motion on 21st July calling for South West Water to be returned to public ownership.
Campaigners across Cornwall are rallying behind the ‘Dowr Glan’ motion, reflecting widespread dissatisfaction with the utility’s management.
More than 50 of the region's town and parish councils are supporting the initiative, representing over half of Cornwall’s population.
The campaign, named ‘Dowr Glan’ meaning ‘Clean Water’ in Cornish, has gained momentum as residents continue to report pollution of local beaches and waterways due to sewage spills.
The vote will occur after campaigners deliver a letter to Leigh Frost, Leader of Cornwall Council, as well as to DEFRA, the Chief Executive of Ofwat, and Cornwall’s six MPs.
Mael Garrec, a Mebyon Kernow town councillor in Penryn, highlighted years of underinvestment in water infrastructure and profits taking priority over quality service.
Garrec emphasised the aim to return South West Water to public hands for the benefit of people and the environment rather than private profit.
Dean Evans, Green Party Cornwall Councillor for Penryn, asserted strong cross-party support and concern over rising water bills and sewage incidents.
Evans described the motion as representing community voices and their clear dissatisfaction.
Cllr Loveday Jenkin of Mebyon Kernow criticised South West Water for its history of failures, urging Prime Minister Andy Burnham to take definitive action as part of his vow to restore public services to public ownership.
The motion serves as a direct challenge to Burnham's promise to regionalize power and improve public utility management, with Cornwall’s councillors delivering a unified message for change in water service management.
South West Water has previously told us: "We recognise concerns about water quality in Cornwall and we continue to work proactively with councils through regular bespoke briefings to explain our local plans and deliver improvements.
"We’re investing £760 million to tackle storm overflows and have reduced spills by 17% in the last year, with spill duration down by 25%. We know there is more to do but the data shows the plan is working."