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#DowrGlan
Sick of South West Water
A grassroots campaign for Clean Water in Cornwall
One objective: unite all parish and town councillors in Cornwall to formally declare "No Confidence" in South West Water and petition the Government for the sewage and water system to be transferredto a public-owned organisation and
managed as a public service.
One objective: unite all parish and town councillors in Cornwall to formally declare "No Confidence" in South West Water and petition the Government for the sewage and water system to be transferredto a public-owned organisation and
managed as a public service.
Campaign timeline
Campaign timeline
April 2026
April 2026
The Mobilisation Cornish councillors will mobilise cross-party to express the anger of our communities at the mismanagement of our sewage network. We'll start bringing motions to the vote in town and parish councils across Cornwall.
May 2026
May 2026
The Parish PushCampaigning online and in our communities to get councillors from all parish and town councils and all parties to join the movement and sign the letter.
June/July 2026
June/July 2026
The DeliveryWith Cornwall-wide support, we'll send the letter on behalf of parish and town councils to DEFRA, Ofwat, Cornwall Council and Cornish MPs.
What is Dowr Glan / Sick of South West Water?
What is Dowr Glan / Sick of South West Water?
Dowr Glan (Clean Water in Cornish) / Sick of South West Water is a grassroots campaign by Cornish local councillors, activists and residents who are fed-up with the ongoing sewage crisis. This is a critical moment for Cornwall. With sewage continuing to spill into our rivers and onto our shores and streets, and water bills set to rise again this April, the appetite for radical measures to tackle South West Water (SWW) has never been higher.
Dowr Glan (Clean Water in Cornish) / Sick of South West Water is a grassroots campaign by Cornish local councillors, activists and residents who are fed-up with the ongoing sewage crisis. This is a critical moment for Cornwall. With sewage continuing to spill into our rivers and onto our shores and streets, and water bills set to rise again this April, the appetite for radical measures to tackle South West Water (SWW) has never been higher.
This campaign moves beyond "consultation" and "summits" toward a direct challenge to SWW’s licence to operate in the Duchy.
This campaign moves beyond "consultation" and "summits" toward a direct challenge to SWW’s licence to operate in the Duchy.
It aims to:
It aims to:
- Mobilise councillors to get parish and town councils across Cornwall to sign a letter of no-confidence regarding SWW to the government, Ofwat and Cornwall Council
- Mobilise councillors to get parish and town councils across Cornwall to sign a letter of no-confidence regarding SWW to the government, Ofwat and Cornwall Council
- Put pressure on the government and local MPs to support the removal of SWW from managing water and sewage in Cornwall and to transition its assets into a publicly-owned organisation, run as a public service
- Put pressure on the government and local MPs to support the removal of SWW from managing water and sewage in Cornwall and to transition its assets into a publicly-owned organisation, run as a public service
One of the many days of pollution affecting our beaches
Enough is Enough!
Enough is Enough!
The map of participating towns and parishes
The map of participating towns and parishes
24 town and parish councils have voted the Dowr Glan motion since April 2026.
The motion is going to the vote in many other town and parish councils in April and May. Why not in yours? Download the letter and email us at DowrGlan@gmail.com!
Parish and town councils where the letter is put to the vote by councillors
Parish and town councils where the letter is put to the vote by councillors
Newquay Town Council - 03 June 2026
St Gorran Parish Council - 04 June 2026
Truro City Council - 29 June 2026
St Ives Town Council - June 2026
Illogan Parish Council - June 2026
Chacewater Parish Council - June 2026
Gwennap Parish Council - June 2026
Mylor Parish Council - June 2026
Want to add your council here? Email us at DowrGlan@gmail.com!
Take part!
Take part!
Are you a parish or town councillor in Cornwall?
Help us to reach our target by putting this letter to the vote at your next town or parish council meeting!
Are you a resident in Cornwall?
Help us reach our target by writing to your parish or town councillors and asking them to put this letter to the vote! You can also sign the Surfers Against Sewage campaign, the parliamentary petition or share your story with us on the Send us your story page.
Are you organisation (non-profit, trade union, etc) in Cornwall?
Help us by voicing your support for the campaign! Just drop us an email at DowrGlan@gmail.com to start a conversation.
We're in the news and on social media!
We're in the news and on social media!
This week, 4 local and parish councils passed a motion of no-confidence in South West Water (SWW). Local authorities in Helston, Crowan, Penryn, and St Ive and Pensilva passed motions of no-confidence in the utility firm, citing “record bills” and “raw sewage”.
'This isn't just a protest; it’s an eviction notice.' But the company says it is investing £760 million and has already started reducing sewage spills significantly.
“These bunch of gangsters are exploiting us all,” one councillor said as Helston Town Council voted to join a county wide push demanding government action against South West Water.
A new campaign calling for the removal of South West Water from Cornwall’s water and sewage management is being launched today by a coalition of local councillors and activists.
Six of Cornwall’s towns have now declared no confidence in the privatised utility, joining a grassroots campaign demanding the firm be stripped of its licence and brought back into public ownership.
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