THAMES WATER’S plans to spend £1.6 billion on reducing sewage discharges into rivers and seas has been welcomed by one of Reading’s two MPs, but he says more needs to be done.
Last week, the water firm announced upgrades to some of its sewage treatment works and sewer networks over the next two years, to cut down on storm discharges and pollution incidents.
It says this will help reduce the total annual duration of discharges by 50% by 2030 compared to a 2020 baseline, and would include an 80% reduction in discharges in particularly sensitive catchments.
Sarah Bentley, chief executive of Thames Water, said: “The discharge of untreated sewage is unacceptable, and we are committed to tackling this problem.
“We are investing record sums in upgrading our sewer systems and treatment works and are striving every day to reduce the discharge of untreated sewage into our rivers.
“There are no quick fixes. Population growth will increase the strain on our sewage network and treatment centres. And because of climate change, the south east of England is experiencing heavier downpours, which can overwhelm some sewage treatment works.
“The scale of the challenge demands urgent and systemic reform with a shared undertaking from all stakeholders.”
None of the projects announced would have an impact on Reading and Wokingham borough’s waterways.
Reading East MP Matt Rodda says the water firm’s plan is a step forward, but wanted the company to go further.
“Labour are calling for greater fines for water companies, annual parliamentary scrutiny of Defra, Ofwat and the Environment Agency, and a proper plan for reducing raw sewage being discharged,” he said.
“Our rivers are a vital natural resource and should not be polluted in this way, for too long water companies have ignored the concerns of residents and continued to pump sewage into the Thames and our other rivers.”
He felt that the borough was particularly affected by Thames Water’s practise of sewage discharges.
“Reading and Woodley are particularly badly affected by this dreadful practice as they sit downstream of a number of sewage treatment works where sewage is regularly discharged into the river,” he said.
“The riverside is such an important open space for residents to walk and enjoy being in a green space or for boating and fishing.”
In January, Mr Rodda wrote to Ms Bentley, to raise the issue of sewage discharge and met with a Thames Water representative regarding river pollution at the end of that month.
