Work to reduce sewage discharges in Sidmouth and Tipton St John could be brought forward.

OFWAT wants to accelerate 31 improvement schemes in England so that work can begin in 2023 or 2024, rather than later in this decade.

The regulator had asked all the water companies to identify infrastructure investments they could begin within the next two years, subject to OFWAT’s approval.

Among those put forward by South West Water were improvements to six combined sewage overflows in Sidmouth and Tipton so that they meet coastal bathing water standards and hit the target for reducing storm overflow discharges by March 2028.

Three of those in Sidmouth are at the Ham, and another two are at Fortescue Road and Manstone Road; all flow into the River Sid. Also proposed for an upgrade is Tipton St John’s combined sewer overflow into the River Otter.

These schemes are among a raft of improvements across the region, totalling an investment of £130 million, that South West Water has proposed to OFWAT. The regulator has opened a consultation on its ‘accelerated infrastructure delivery project’ across England, which runs until Monday, April 24.

A spokesperson for Sidmouth Town Council said: "The Town Council welcomes the announcement that South West Water is going to invest £9.8 million over 2023-24 into the sewerage infrastructure in the Sid Valley, with a further £20.2 million to follow up to 2030.

"The Town Council, together with a number of other organisations and individuals, has been campaigning for some time for a reduction in the use of the Combined Sewage Outfalls (CSO) which have spilled untreated sewage into the sea and river during periods of heavy rainfall.

"Sidmouth, being an all-year-round destination, has people swimming in the sea 365 days a year. Having clean bathing water is a priority for residents and visitors alike.

"The plan envisages upgrades to the Ham sewage pumping stations and improvements to the Fortescue and Manstone Lane CSOs. The performance of South West Water has been closely monitored by the Town Council and other groups over recent years as concerns grew about the lack of investment in the infrastructure."

Cllr Chris Lockyear, Chair of Council, added: "The significant investment announcement by South West Water is good news and the Town Council will continue to monitor performance so we can be assured of the cleanliness of our river and beaches."