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.

Clean Sea Newquay said: "Newquay is the 25th town to do so as a part of the Dowr Glan campaign which is uniting town and parish councils across Cornwall to use their collective voice to call for real change in the way our water is managed."

Cllr Evans told the meeting that Cornwall was being “confronted by sewage pollution”, pointing to rising bills and the impact on public health, tourism and the environment. “These figures underline how private water companies have been allowed to profit at the public’s expense,” he said, adding that infrastructure had been left to “crumble into disrepair”.