SPEAR
Sewage Pollution Elimination in the Axe River
– a new campaign to eliminate sewage pollution in the Axe rivers
Despite recent changes to legislation, and well-publicised promises of investment, untreated sewage and treated effluent, both containing pathogenic bacteria, continues to pour into the River Axe and its tributaries.
For example, Tatworth Sewage Treatment Works spilled untreated sewage into the river for 4137 hours in 2024. That is the equivalent of sewage flowing out for 24 hours a day, 7 days a week for nearly 6 months. And yet, of the 34 sewerage assets in the catchment, only 5 will be upgraded in the near future, and the upgrades will make little difference to the amount of sewage entering our rivers.
Cleaner rivers are achievable
…but only when decision-makers are held to account. Sewage pollution damages aquatic life, threatens protected species, undermines local livelihoods, threatens public health, and erodes public trust. We should not have to accept polluted rivers and beaches as the price of modern living.
Our Approach
The SPEAR campaign, launched by FORA in January 2026, demands urgent action. It will initially gather evidence to illustrate the scale of the problem and then call on South West Water, elected representatives, and industry regulators to take immediate, measurable action, including to:
End the routine discharge from storm overflows
Re-prioritise the River Axe catchment for investment
Strengthen environmental permits (for treated and untreated effluent) and enforce compliance with them
FORA will work constructively with all those willing to act, while holding to account those who fail to do so. Our work will be grounded in evidence, transparency, and the voices of local people who care deeply about the river.