Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps he is taking with the Environment Agency to tackle the flow of pollution from the River Teign into (a) bathing waters and (b) high-priority nature sites.

For too long, water companies have discharged unacceptable levels of sewage into our rivers, lakes and seas.

The Water (Special Measures) Bill will drive meaningful improvements in the performance and culture of the water also giving regulators new powers to take tougher and faster action on water companies not delivering for customers and the environment

As part of the Storm Overflows Discharge Reduction Plan, by 2035, water companies will improve all storm overflows discharging near every designated bathing water, as well as improving overflows

On 12 November 2024, Defra, with the Welsh Government, announced a consultation on potential reforms to The Bathing Water Regulations 2013. We are currently analysing responses to the Consultation and will publish a response in due course.

This year, six additional freshwater sites along the River Teign are being monitored by the Environment Agency for microbiological water quality during the bathing water season. Additional monitoring will also continue at Teignmouth Back Beach following a sewage misconnection to surface water drainage in this area. In addition, Shaldon is a priority bathing water with an Action Plan for 2025

In the next investment cycle (2025-2030) there are plans for investigations to reduce storm overflows and improve permitted discharges, and improvements, including to reduce storm overflows.