Water companies revealed to have pumped sewage into South Cotswolds’ rivers for 350 days last year as MP calls for urgent reform
New figures published by the government expose the scale of sewage discharges by the water companies into South Cotswolds waterways. Thames Water, Severn Trent, and Wessex Water pumped sewage into local rivers for the equivalent of 350 days last year.
The biggest offender was Thames Water who discharged sewage into the Coln, the Churn and the Thames for a combined total of 4,457 hours, equivalent to189 days of continuous pumping. 103 days’ worth alone took place at the Fairford Sewage Treatment Works, into the River Coln.
Wessex Water pumped sewage from treatment plants in South Cotswolds for 3,616 hours last year, equivalent to 150 days of continuous flow. Sewage was pumped into the Avon in Malmesbury for over 800 hours last year and discharged into Braydon Brook at Hankerton for over 1,000 hours.
Residents across the constituency have raised serious concerns about the impact on wildlife, public health and outdoor spaces, frustrated by the lack of meaningful action to stop the pollution.
The Liberal Democrats are demanding the government replace Ofwat with a new regulator that can properly hold water companies to account and drive real change. Roz Savage, Liberal Democrat MP for South Cotswolds, who campaigned on this issue during her successful election to Parliament last year and has been an environmental advocate for the last two decades, said:
“Water companies continue to pump sewage into our rivers while local people pay rising bills and see water quality decline. Swimmers and pets are getting ill from pollution in our waterways. This is totally unacceptable. The huge sums paid to water company bosses in salaries and bonuses just add insult to injury.
“The government must step up and create a regulator with real teeth to stop this national scandal. Ofwat has failed to act, and we need urgent change.
“We have a duty to protect our rivers and waterways for future generations. I will keep working with local communities and campaigners to push for urgent action and proper accountability.”
ENDS
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