Cornwall Awarded Over £95,000 from Water Restoration Fund to Tackle Pollution

Cornwall is set to receive a funding boost to help clean up its rivers, lakes and coastal waters after years of pollution caused by water companies.

£10 Million Reinvested Across England

More than £10 million collected from water company fines is being reinvested into 51 cleanup projects across England through the Water Restoration Fund, with South East Cornwall among the areas to benefit.

The fund will use money from penalties handed to five major water companies — Anglian Water, South West Water, Thames Water, Yorkshire Water and United Utilities — for pollution offences committed between April 2022 and October 2023.

The investment will support environmental recovery projects, from rewilding and restoring floodplains to assessing water quality and developing long-term improvement plans.

South East Cornwall to Receive Over £95,000

Anna Gelderd, Member of Parliament for South East Cornwall, welcomed the announcement, confirming that the area will receive over £95,000 to address local pollution issues.

“Labour is cleaning up the mess the Tories left in our rivers, lakes, and seas — for good,” said Anna.

“I’m thrilled to see South East Cornwall will receive over £95,000 – the backing we deserve to keep fighting the damage of water pollution locally.

“I know that local residents are fed up with filthy water and broken promises, this is the action to protect our health, our communities, and our environment.”

Government Promises Accountability

Environment Secretary Emma Reynolds said the government is focused on restoring public confidence and environmental health:

“I share people’s anger at the damage caused by sewage pollution and want communities to once again feel they can take pride in their environment.

“This money from water company fines will be directed back into local projects to tackle pollution and support long-term plans for nature restoration.

“Under our Plan for Change we’re resetting the water industry – holding water companies to account and reinvesting in areas harmed by their rule breaking.”

Water Companies Face Fines

The fines collected to fund the Water Restoration Fund were as follows:

Holding Water Companies to Account

Anna Gelderd has consistently challenged South West Water over its record on pollution and customer service.

Earlier this year, during an Environmental Audit Committee session, she questioned CEO Susan Davy on issues of transparency and accountability. On 2nd October, the same day the company announced the appointment of its new Chief Executive Keith Haslett, Anna wrote to him calling for higher standards, improved customer service and stronger environmental protection. She has also requested an urgent meeting to raise the concerns of South East Cornwall residents directly.

Restoring Nature for the Future

Projects funded through the Water Restoration Fund stretch across the country, from restoring riverbeds in Exmoor National Park to tackling septic tank spills into Windermere. Locally, the funding will support work to address water quality issues that have affected Cornish coastal communities.

More details about the announcement and the projects supported by the fund can be found on the Government’s website