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Collapsed Woolton Hill sewer sees sewage problems return to village





Thames Water have denied sewage pollution has entered local water courses and issued the following statement today:
"On Friday night a collapsed sewer led to waste water spilling out from a manhole. We're sorry to anyone who was affected by this and have been working hard to clean up as best we can. Inspections have shown the nearby watercourses were not affected by the spillage."
The company confirms the incident is not connected to the Blind Mans Gate pumping station in Woolton Hill.
However the Environment Agency says some sewage has entered local water courses and issued the following statement:
"Thames Water notified us of an issue at Woolton Hill on the evening of Friday 14 November, and our Environment Officers carried out an inspection at first light on Saturday.
A Thames Water sewer has collapsed , which has caused some sewage to enter a nearby watercourse.
Thames Water are tankering away sewage, and our assessment of the watercourse showed the impact was minor.
We will continue to monitor the location and support our partners as required."
Thames Water remained adamant that no sewage had entered local watercourses:
"We had environmental scientists meet the EA yesterday am and there was no evidence of pollution of the water," said Thames Water spokeswoman Becky Trotman, who continued:
"The EA will always class a sewage spill as pollution but it doesn't necessarily mean damage to watercourses."
Environment Agency spokesman, Ash Dobson, confirmed sewage was flowing through gardens and into the watercourse and continued:
"Dissolved oxygen levels indicated impact and the water was visibly grey with sewage odour. However the overall impact to water was minor."
Several tankers have been spotted in the village ferrying sewage away.
Concerned villager, Piers Fenwick, said one or two properties in the village had been affected by sewage overflowing into their gardens:
"A manhole cover was lifted by the pressure of the sewage on the corner of the road at Broad Layings, you could see grey water coming up," said Mr Fenwick.
Also a National Trust member, Mr Fenwick said he feared The Chase at Woolton Hill, a beauty spot used by ramblers and dog walkers owned by the trust had once again been affected by sewage leakage. A statement from the National Trust is awaited/ to follow.
Roads have been closed in the village with diversions in place.



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