Cornish Village Residents Withhold Water Bills Over Persistent Sewage Flooding
The furious residents of a small Cornish village have taken the drastic step of withholding their water bills in protest against what they describe as relentless sewage flooding that occurs "every time it rains." Anne Oliver and her neighbours in Stithians, near Falmouth, regularly find themselves wading through human faeces and toilet paper that pours from overwhelmed drains onto their streets.
A Decade-Long Crisis
This distressing problem has plagued the community for more than ten years, escalating to the point where locals frequently encounter sewage lapping at their front doors. On numerous occasions, the foul effluent has even breached their homes, creating intolerable living conditions. In a desperate bid to compel South West Water to address the mess, several villagers have now decided to stop paying their water bills entirely.
Karen Oliver, a resident for twelve years, has been particularly vocal. She has made over thirty calls to the utility company since December last year alone, yet claims she has never received a callback. She is urging fellow Stithians residents to join her in cancelling their direct debits. "If the whole village could do the same, SWW would finally take notice," she asserted.
Health Hazards and Inadequate Responses
The situation has unsurprisingly become a serious public health concern. Residents report a persistent "lake of poo" forming in their community. Some have even accused inconsiderate drivers of speeding through the large, contaminated puddles, splashing small children with faeces-laden water.
Jo Kaye, another local, reported the sewage overflow to South West Water but admitted "not much has been done." She described waiting days for an inadequate clean-up and for promised follow-up calls from management that never materialised. "This is not an isolated incident," she stressed. "It has happened at least three times previously so is a known and ongoing issue."
The frustration is compounded by what residents perceive as an insulting lack of action. "Previous investigation was unsatisfactory and, to be honest, insulting, considering the numerous videos we have sent as evidence," Kaye added.
Residents Forced to Take Matters Into Their Own Hands
Faced with inaction, some residents have resorted to extreme measures. One individual has installed a private pump to prevent sewage from flooding into her home. Karen Smith told ITV News last December about the daily disruption: "We can't flush the loo when it's full. We're not able to function in daily life… we're busy emptying drains and wondering if we'll be able to have a shower or wash uniforms for work."
Andy Snape, chairman of the Built Environment Consultancy, has persistently highlighted the public health risk. "This is a serious public health issue, when will someone take action against South West Water to compel them to provide the permanent solution?" he demanded.
South West Water's Record and Promises
South West Water has stated it is working on "long term solutions" for Stithians. These include removing rainfall from the sewer network, investigating illegal connections, increasing the size of 125 metres of local sewers for additional storage, and carrying out a flood-reduction project due for completion in May this year.
However, the company's recent history has been marred by controversy. In July 2025, former CEO Susan Davy stood down, coinciding with South West Water agreeing to pay a £24 million enforcement package for failing to properly manage its sewage network. The company was also rated "poor" by the water industry watchdog in September last year for its handling of household complaints.
This local issue unfolds against a national backdrop. The government recently released its Water White Paper, aiming to deliver tougher oversight and stronger accountability for water companies. Environment Secretary Emma Reynolds stated: "Water companies will have nowhere to hide from poor performance, customers will get the service they deserve."
For now, the residents of Stithians continue their protest, hoping their withheld payments will finally force the action they have sought for over a decade.
