Dirty protest: Campaigners want council to pressure Thames Water over sewage spills

Protesters are expected at West Berkshire Council offices on Thursday demanding that pressure be put on Thames Water to stop pouring sewage into the district’s rivers

A petition has been lodged in protest at the water company’s actions, demanding the council holds Thames Water to account.

The full council meeting is also being lobbied by the Greens asking for a formal explanation from local MPs as to why they voted down a Lords Amendment to the Environment Bill, which would have placed a legal duty on water companies in England and Wales “to make improvements to their sewerage systems and demonstrate progressive reductions in the harm caused by discharges of untreated sewage”.

MPs Laura Farris (Newbury) and John Redwood (Wokingham) voted to defeat the Lords Amendment. Alok Sharma, MP for Reading West, did not vote.

The Greens want West Berkshire Council to condemn the discharging of raw sewage into waterways.

“Discharge of sewages into our rivers and coastal out flows has become a growing programme due to chronic under investment by the private companies who are responsible for maintaining our waste system,” said Steve Masters (Green, Wash Common).

“Indeed the privatised companies have paid dividends to extract huge profits while neglecting the infrastructure – £57bn since 1991.”

The Conservatives have also tabled a motion, with environment portfolio holder Steve Ardagh-Walter (Thatcham Colthrop and Crookham) saying: “This council considers that the level of sewage discharge by water companies into our rivers is unacceptable – sewage contamination can have a devastating impact on fish and other aquatic wildlife.

“Further, if people swim, bathe or participate in activities in or around sewage contaminated water, there are significant risks to public health such as gastroenteritis, ear, nose and throat infections, skin infections, and worse.

“This council believes that water companies must significantly reduce sewage discharges from storm overflows as a priority.”

The Conservative motion does not ask to pressure MPs on their stance, but instead suggests the council should welcome Thames Water’s initiation of a significant restoration project, including an end to sewage discharges, for the River Pang.

“We look forward to seeing results of this work as it unfolds,” added Mr Ardagh-Walter.

Last year, Thames Water was handed a £4m fine following a 30-hour “waterfall of raw sewage”, which poured into streams and killed thousands of fish.

Officials saw fish “suffering and gasping for oxygen” on the surface of the water, after being alerted by kayakers who found themselves paddling through the sewage.

It’s estimated that around 3,000 fish were killed in the incident, which saw half a million litres of raw sewage flow into Seacourt and Hinksey Streams in Oxfordshire.

Local campaigner and singer Feargal Sharkey is also pressing for action, accusing Thames Water of dumping sewage into the River Kennet and River Lambourn.

Last year he tweeted: “The River Lambourn is a chalk stream one of the rarest habitats in the world.

“It rises near Lambourn and is a tributary of the Kennet. You will have seen it featured on Bake Off.

“Only 16 miles long, yet in 2019, Thames Water spent 601 hours dumping sewage into it.”

West Berkshire Council meets on Thursday.