Women in Wastewater: South West Water’s Leaders on 2025 Wins and 2026 Goals

Behind the region’s wastewater network, a group of women at South West Water are leading work that is cutting spills, improving infrastructure and giving a clearer picture of how water quality shifts throughout the year.

Below, three of the company’s engineers and leaders share the progress made so far in 2025 and what they hope to achieve in 2026.

Jenny Eamer: “We’ve made things better and we’re not stopping there”

📷 Jenny Eamer

For Operations Manager Jenny Eamer, leading wastewater operations in Mid and East Devon is about teamwork and determination.

“Over the past two years I’ve been really focused on building a high-performing, collaborative team that’s delivered real results,” said Jenny. “We’ve seen a significant reduction in pollutions and storm overflows. It’s about showing our customers and communities that we care, and that we’re doing everything we can to protect the environment.”

Jenny began her career with South West Water 15 years ago in the control centre. Her curiosity for the industry grew into a long-term role that now sees her manage improvement work in places such as Exmouth and the upgrade of Maer Lane Sewage Treatment Works.

Her team is also using new ‘smart tech’ including 3D cameras and drones to detect faults and make underground surveys safer.

Looking ahead, Jenny hopes to help bring through the next generation of leaders.

“My goal is to keep learning about technology and innovation. They are moving fast, and we can use them to make operations smarter and more sustainable. I also find it incredibly rewarding to share knowledge with others coming into the industry. We all learn more when we learn together.”

Hazel Tranchant: “The difference is significant”

📷Hazel Tranchant

Head of Tactical Asset Management Hazel Tranchant has spent two decades working across the South West wastewater network. This year, her team has focused on reducing reliance on storm overflows, with Exmouth seeing spill numbers more than halved compared with 2024.

“Our teams are seeing results,” said Hazel. “At Hartopp Road Pump Station we discovered groundwater was being pumped into the sewer network, overloading it and causing spills. We’ve since modified the system so that water returns directly to the environment instead and so far this year spills have nearly halved compared to 2024.”

Hazel explained that not all changes come from engineering alone, with weather patterns also playing a part. Even so, seeing solutions work on the ground has been encouraging.

At Lime Kilns, pumps have been replaced, sewers lined and manholes sealed along almost a kilometre of pipe to stop groundwater entering the system.

“It’s been a big job, but the impact is huge,” Hazel said. “Spills there have dropped from 204 last year to just 60 so far in 2025. We’re proud of what’s been achieved, but we’re under no illusions. There’s still more to do and this work is currently being assessed to ensure we meet the targets we need to.”

Helen Dobby: “Understanding what happens beyond the bathing season”

📷Helen Dobby

Head of Environmental Performance Helen Dobby has spent her career turning data into practical improvements. This year, her team ran a winter bathing water sampling pilot across 14 beaches and one shellfish water, including Exmouth.

“Our winter sampling pilot has been incredibly valuable, both scientifically and practically,” Helen explained. “It’s helped us to better understand how water quality changes outside the bathing season. In Exmouth, for example, quality remained good throughout the year, which was really encouraging. We’ve published all the results on our website so people can see the data for themselves.”

Helen’s team is now working with Exeter University to look at how future water quality models could develop.

“We’re also looking to use new technology, drones and AI to help us understand our catchments more fully,” said Helen. “Protecting and enhancing our bathing waters through working collaboratively with communities, like Exmouth, is key. We are committed to doing this now and in the future.”

Investment in Exmouth and Beyond

South West Water operates more than 14,000 miles of sewers across the South West. The company says that when issues occur, the priority is to fix them quickly and invest to prevent future problems.

In Exmouth alone, £38 million is being invested to protect the environment and support the town’s ‘excellent’ bathing water status, which it has maintained since 2016. This includes upgrading pumping stations and treatment works to reduce spills.

Jenny, Hazel and Helen all agree that while progress is clear, the work continues. With major investment and the dedication of teams across the region, South West Water says it is committed to the ongoing effort to protect the environment and deliver the improvements customers expect.