We strongly oppose South West Water’s proposal to build a desalination plant in Cornwall, England’s second wettest county
- Desalination is expensive to build, expensive to run and energy-intensive
- The marine pipelines will cause irreversible damage to the sea-bed, protected species and unique ecosystems in St Austell Bay
- The land pipelines will rip through undisturbed land, organic farms, woodlands and people’s livelihoods
- South West Water leak a staggering 112.2 millions litres of water every day. The ‘Phase One’ plan will produce just 4million litres a day.
- There ARE viable alternatives to provide water security
Marine Environment
- Installing pipes in St Austell Bay will cause irreversible damage to seagrass, maerl
- The pipelines are likely to cause the death of protected seahorses in the Bay
- Desalination is likely to have a detrimental impact on protected bird species and seal populations
- We are concerned about the impact of brine and disturbed sediment
- South West Water applied for an MMO licence to conduct surveys- read our objections here
Land Environment
- Cornwall Council decided the land pipeline does not require an Environmental Impact Assessment – read DIG’s objection to this decision
- This project will disrupt our small country lanes and local life
- We have asked South West Water to share the surveys they have conducted and the results – they have not replied
- The pipeline will damage wildflower meadows, ancient hedges, ancient woodlands and organic land
- It will impact on the farmers, local businesses and their livelihoods
Cost to You. Cost to the Climate
- Desalination is a notoriously energy intensive process and expensive to run
- Who will ultimately pay the cost of desalination?
- Seagrass and maerl store more carbon than trees – damaging them will release stored carbon
- SWW say we have to combat drought – how are they dealing with flooding and excessive rainfall capture?
South West Water Fact Check
- South West Water leak 112.2 million litres of water every day! Their ‘Phase One’ plan will achieve just 4million litres a day. They say fixing leaks is ‘not cost effective’.
- South West Water quote a ‘pressing need’ to develop desalination. Ofwat disagree.
- South West Water fail to perform across any matrix
- DIG have compiled many quotes, comments and so called ‘facts’ from South West Water. Take a look!
- Are we in drought or flood? South West Water are not sure!