SWW 'hid the origin of a £2m nature fund'

SOUTH WEST WATER CRITICISED

- By OLIVIER VERGNAULT [e-mail]

SOUTH West Water has been criticised for a lack of honesty after unveiling a £2m Nature Recovery Fund, which is actually part of an enforcement package mandated by regulator Ofwat.

In a press release, South West Water said the cash would help to expand volunteer programmes focused on grassroots biodiversity and nature conservation, such as initiatives to improve water quality in the River Dart in Devon and “enhance rainwater harvesting”

The water firm said the money would also be invested in improving bathing water quality and in community rainwater storage, as well as encouraging tree planting schemes in the region.

However, the CEO of Cornwall Chamber of Commerce, John Brown, said South West Water was not being truthful about the origins of the money.