Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what recent discussions he has had with water companies on sewage infiltration.

For too long, water companies have discharged unacceptable levels of sewage into our rivers, lakes and seas.

Regulators are working with South West Water on their Drainage and Wastewater Management Plans and will be ensuring they look at the investment needs for the issues raised relating to reducing infiltration in their sewerage system, leaks from the system, and removing surface water.

As part of its Waterfit programme, South West Water is carrying out surface water separation programmes within the catchments of Dawlish, Goodrington, Mothecombe, Millandreath & Ilfracombe, with the purpose of spill reduction and bathing water protection.