ONLY days after being found guilty of several counts of water pollution, South West Water has had to attend another sewage leak in Salcombe harbour.

The spillage at Chapel End on June 4 was reported directly to the Environment Agency and came just three days after SWW was ordered to pay £32,967 in fines and costs for a series of illegal sewage discharges into the estuary.

Following the case at Torquay Magistrates Court on June 1, which saw the company criticised for 'failing public obligation' and 'complacency at grass roots level', SWW were alerted and have now successfully dealt with the recent leak.

However Salcombe Mayor, Cllr Roger Moore is concerned about the number of spillages that have occurred in the town. He said: 'Having another serious leak within 72 hours of being convicted should give South West Water food for thought.

'There is a distinct correlation between these leaks and our fluctuating town population.

'Salcombe Town Council has been trying for over a year to engage SWW in a dialogue and we are getting fed up with its refusal to engage.

'The whole community will be reporting any leaks directly to the Environmental Agency (as was done in this case) until we get some sensible answers.'

Pete Ball, a representative of the Environment Agency which brought about the case against SWW, said: 'It was disappointing the illegal discharges continued after the old control valve had been replaced. This resulted from the company's failure to fully test the new valve and associated equipment.

'Salcombe is unusual in that it relies on a control valve to ensure the town's sewerage system operates properly and it is therefore vital South West Water regularly monitors this equipment and ensures it is operating correctly at all times.'

The first illegal spillage of which SWW was convicted was on March 22 last year when sewage was seen entering Salcombe harbour from a surcharging manhole at Chapel End.

Sewage leaks also occurred at Whitestrand and Jubilee Pier, with one eyewitness reporting a 'torrent of raw sewage' including bits of nappies, sanitary towels and toilet paper flowing onto the foreshore from the manhole near the Ferry Inn steps on November 26. SWW has in the last fortnight started a £400,000 programme to improve Salcombe's sewerage network, including the refurbishment of 420 metres of sewer and the sealing and replacement of manholes.