Water improvement works captured on film

South West Water has partnered with Dawlish-based videographer Neil Salter to document progress on a multi-million-pound programme aimed at improving local water quality and reducing the use of storm overflows.

Neil, who founded Coast Cams in 2014 to showcase the coastline through high-quality video, is producing a series of films charting the utility’s major upgrades to the town’s wastewater network.

The Dawlish scheme includes building new storm tanks, separating sewage from rainwater, and sealing pipework where groundwater is infiltrating the system. Two storm tanks – each with a capacity of 2.2 million litres – are being constructed at The Lawn and Sandy Lane. Preparatory works, including pipe diversions, have already been completed.

The videos will give residents a closer look at the construction process and the scale of the investment. The Dawlish project is part of South West Water’s £760 million Turning the Tide programme, which aims to cut storm overflow use across the South West over the next five years.

Project manager Kakha Tatelishvili said the works would “help protect and improve the local bathing waters for many years to come” and that teaming up with Coast Cams was a “fantastic opportunity” to keep residents informed.

Neil said he was keen to “bring locals along on the journey” and highlight the importance of protecting local beaches and wildlife.

The first video update is available at www.southwestwater.co.uk/dawlish.