University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo researchers have pinpointed wastewater pollution hotspots along the Hilo coastline, stretching from Keaukaha to Honoliʻi, potentially guiding cesspool conversions and infrastructure upgrades.

South West Water has been ordered to pay a record fine of nearly £8 million following a six-year period of environmental offenses involving hundreds of sewage spills across Devon and Cornwall. The penalty, handed down at Plymouth Magistrates' Court on September 29, 2026, marks the largest fine ever imposed for environmental violations in the region. The water utility pleaded guilty to 18 charges, including 17 counts of illegal water discharge and one count of failing to take reasonable remedial measures after a pumping station failure. The offenses occurred between January 2015 and July 2021 at locations including Bodmin, Harlyn, Playing Place, Polperro, and Plymouth. Among the most serious incidents, untreated sewage was discharged onto Harlyn Beach, a popular tourist destination, on 231 occasions between 2016 and 2021. In August 2019, sewage gushed through the harbor wall at Polperro Harbour during a bank holiday weekend, with alarms sounding but the company taking 10 hours to respond. At the Bodmin sewage works, 336 illegal spills occurred in the seven years leading up to March 2020, while sewage was also discharged into the River Camel, a protected habitat for otters and Atlantic salmon, more than 336 times. District Judge Joanna Matson described the company's conduct as 'reckless failures' and stated that 'incidents of pollution will not be tolerated.' In addition to the £7,867,733 fine, South West Water was ordered to pay £329,993 in costs and a £120 victim surcharge. The company's parent, Pennon Group, said the proceedings concerned historic matters and highlighted recent investments to reduce storm overflow spills.