 SWW has 600 sewage treatment works in the region |
South West Water has been branded one of the worst polluters in the country. The company was fined a total of more than �48,000 last year in 13 prosecutions, although the number of pollution incidents was down 77%.
According to the Environment Agency, only six private and public organisations across the country had worse records.
But the firm says the assessment is unfair and blames planning disputes for delaying some improvement schemes.
Chief Executive Bob Baty said: "What we are proud of in South West Water is we have been responsible for ensuring the best bathing waters in the country and indeed the highest percentage length of top quality river water in the country.
"It's disappointing when some of the incidents occur but we've got some 600 sewage treatment works and 800 pumping stations all of which are vulnerable points because it's the break downs of the pumping stations which has caused some of the problems the EA has taken action over."
The company was placed third by the Environment Agency in another league table listing serious pollution incidents involving water companies.
Neil Davies from the Environment Agency said; "The primary message for South West Water is to try and keep moving forward with the dramatic improvement and to build on some of the successes they've had this year."
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It's disappointing when some of the incidents occur
