South West Water has refuted claims of inadequacy in its preparations for England's 2022 heatwave,

Responding to an Environment Agency (EA) assessment obtained by Greenpeace's investigative unit.

The assessment alleged that the environmental regulator informed Ofwat that SWW had displayed "complacency" and "a lack of understanding of their own supply system" before the drought.

During the UK's hottest year on record in 2022, parts of England faced water shortages, with SWW's reservoirs hitting record low levels and hosepipe bans lasting over a year in some areas of Devon and Cornwall. Documents obtained under freedom of information laws revealed the EA's critical evaluation of SWW's drought preparedness, accusing the company of not being "honest, open, and transparent with regulators" about drought projections and potential risks to water supply security.

The EA's assessment, conveyed in a July email to Ofwat, asserted that SWW's response to the drought was belated, posing a genuine risk of supply loss in West Cornwall. The regulator also claimed that SWW, before the drought, had a misguided perception of itself as a potential water donor in the future.

In response, SWW vehemently denied any suggestion that they operated in bad faith or were unprepared for the drought. They maintained that they work openly and transparently with regulators, ensuring a robust and resilient water supply amid a rapidly changing climate.

Greenpeace UK's political campaigner, Megan Corton Scott, criticized SWW for its handling of the sewage crisis and lack of preparation for drought. Charles Watson, chair of campaign group River Action, found the obtained documents "pretty devastating" and raised concerns about the competence of the organization. He attributed the water industry's crisis to chronic underinvestment for shareholder dividends.

Despite the criticism, a South West Water spokesperson defended their actions during the 2022 drought, emphasizing their successful maintenance of water supply to over 3.5 million customers and 10 million visitors to the region. They highlighted ongoing investments, with over £125 million allocated this year to increase water resources in Devon and Cornwall. SWW's 2024 Water Resources Management Plan, pending regulator approval, aims to meet growing water demand over the next 25 years.