Object Now! Say No to Desalination

I am concerned that South West Water’s proposed desalination plant will irreplaceably damage the sensitive environment of St Austell Bay including the extensive sea grass and maerl beds. The suggested open trenching through the maerl beds, combined with the effects of disturbed sediment will destroy what has been deemed an ‘irreplaceable habitat’. This proposal threatens the endangered and protected short snouted and spiny seahorses that live in St Austell Bay.

I am anxious that my already high water bills will increase still further if South West Water are allowed to build a desalination plant. Guy Doble of SWW stated that the bills would not increase as a result of the proposed plant ‘during thisbusiness investment period’. But this period ends in 2024 – so that will mean even higher bills next year. South West Water should be focussing on effective collection, storage and delivery of water, not high value capital investments that will impact on customer bills.

I do not believe South West Water’s proposed desalination plant is justifiable development. Cornwall is one of the wettest counties in England; even South West Water describe 2022 as a ‘once in 200 year drought’; annual rainfall in Cornwall has increased over the past 3 years. Effective collection and storage of water combined with improved pipe maintenance would avoid the need for this proposal.

I am worried that the proposed desalination plant will be highly detrimental to the marine environment of St Austell Bay. South West Water have not provided evidence that they have fully examined the potential risk to marine life of highly concentrated brine being returned to the sea – especially in relation to the unique tidal flows of the bay that have been shown to circulate rather than disperse contaminants.

South West Water have stated that they have a ‘Statutory Right’ to rip up farmland, organic soils; wildflower meadows and drill under ancient woodlands – but this does not make it acceptable. They have already demonstrated bullying tactics with local farmers with regard to the surveys carried out on their land. Please don’t let the proposal for a desalination plant progress any further.

South West Water and Cornwall Council both have a stated intent to achieve Net Zero by 2030. On this basis how is it even possible for them to consider using the most energy intensive option to secure water supply? Despite asking the questions SWW have not supplied any meaningful figures regarding energy usage and carbon emissions. Desalination should not be on the agenda in one of the wettest counties in England. Please can I have your support in opposing this proposal?`

South West Water have apparently carried out a lot of surveys both on the land pipeline route and in St Austell Bay. Please will you share the results of the surveys and let me know how these are informing your decisions

South West Water stated in the July 2024 Public Consultation information booklet that planning applications would be required for the desalination plant at Par Docks, the lagoon near Restormel Treatment Works and an extension to Restormel Treatment Works. We were told that planning applications would be submitted by the end of the summer – please can you let me know when you intend to submit these applications?

I am sure South West Water must have evaluated all the costs (both in construction and long term, including ongoing energy costs) and the environmental impact of ALL the options to improve water security. I would expect this to include other options such as fixing leaks, improved water storage in re-used pits (such as Hawks Tor and Blackpool Pit) or building a new reservoir.

In order for me to understand WHY South West Water consider desalination to be the best option to provide water security for Cornwall, please will you share the document that demonstrates the impact and costs of all the various different options?

I have heard that South West Water is planning to purchase Par Docks. Is this just a rumour or is there any truth in this?