As South West Water defends a court action from a Devon swimmer, it also claims it has no legal duty to keep waters clean

South West Water is claiming it has no legal obligation to keep rivers and seawater clean of sewage in its defence against a Devon swimmer who is taking the water company to court.

Jo Bateman, who attempts to swim every day off the coast of Exmouth, is taking legal action against South West Water, claiming its frequent sewage discharges into the sea have taken away her legal right to a public “amenity”.

However, in its defence to Ms Bateman’s claim, seen by i, the water firm states no one has a legal right to swim in the sea.

  • @cynarEnglish
    56•6 months ago

    If it’s fine to dump whatever they want into the sea and rivers, what’s to stop someone dumping a large amount of concrete directly over their vents? If it happens to fill and block their pipes, that’s their problem.

    • @[email protected]English
      29•6 months ago

      “sorry but due to increased vandalism in your area, we’re raising your water bill by 50%. feel free to complain to your MP who let us do this on the basis that we made a large donation to his re-election campaign and offered him a cushy director job when he’s finished. also, we’ll be doubling our shareholder dividend this year. thanks!”

      • @cynarEnglish
        16•6 months ago

        Do you honestly think is NOT filling their pipes with concrete would stop them raising prices by 50%, if they thought they could get away with it?

      • @MangoEnglish
        1•6 months ago

        I’m sorry right back. Points gun

    • LemminaryEnglish
      24•6 months ago

      I nether condemn or condone these actions, but if anyone needs cement for whatever reason I have some leftover in the garage.

    • @[email protected]English
      4•6 months ago

      Their lawyers

      The same ones that made up this stupid defense and have zero need to honor it

      • @I_Has_A_HatEnglish
        7•6 months ago

        I know it’s often a lawyers job to throw anything and everything at the wall to see what sticks, but I feel there needs to be some consequences for bad faith, or in this case inhuman, arguments. Like, it fully reveals the priorities of the company and shows there is significant culture rot.