Buckfastleigh pipe leak raises concerns over stream contamination

South West Water has responded to reports of a suspected wastewater discharge in Buckfastleigh after concerns were raised by a local resident.

The issue was identified at Kingcome Court on Fore Street, where a resident observed that a pipe beneath a small bridge linking the property’s car park to the house appeared to be disconnected. 

According to the resident, the pipe was intermittently releasing large amounts of water into the stream below, accompanied by a strong smell suggestive of wastewater.

After being contacted by the concerned resident, The Moorlander reached out to South West Water for clarification. 

Later that same day, the resident informed the paper that engineers had arrived on site and begun remedial work.

A spokesperson for South West Water confirmed: “Our teams were informed of the issue yesterday and, after quickly attending the area to isolate the flows, the issue was fixed yesterday. We have taken samples of the watercourse and informed the Environment Agency.”

The investigation into the cause of the discharge is ongoing.