Published: 2024-01-25 by, News Team in the National news category

Mayor Khan Demands Action Against Surge in Thames Water Sewage Discharges

Mayor Sadiq Khan has strongly criticized Thames Water following recent findings revealing a significant surge in sewage release into London's waterways. Between April and December 2023, sewage was discharged for a staggering 6,590 hours, marking a five-fold increase compared to the previous year.

During a brief six-day period from December 25th to December 31st, 2023, sewage overflowed across Thames Water's network for 128 hours and 12 minutes, averaging 18 hours daily. These discharges encompass both treated sewage and untreated sewage and stormwater during periods of heavy rainfall, affecting 33 rivers and waterways monitored across 118 sites.

In a direct appeal to Thames Water's new CEO, Chris Weston, Mayor Khan demanded immediate action to address the issue and sought assurances that the organization would fulfill its environmental obligations, particularly in cleaning up the city's rivers and combating pollution. Highlighting the plight of the River Wandle, which lost its 'good' status in the summer of 2023 and faces ongoing sewage spills until 2035, Khan emphasized the urgency of the situation.

Additionally, Mayor Khan called upon government ministers to intervene more effectively, outlining specific actions required:

Developing a comprehensive plan to restore Thames Water's financial stability without impeding efforts to clean up London's rivers.
Prioritizing essential water network upgrades while safeguarding Londoners from escalating bills.
Introducing stricter legislation mandating an end to sewage discharge into rivers, including harsher penalties for water companies.
Mayor Khan underscored the critical importance of London's rivers, condemning the deteriorating state of waterways and urging Thames Water and government authorities to take decisive action. While acknowledging Thames Water's commitment to reducing discharges, he emphasized the need for urgent and substantial improvements.

Thames Water reiterated its commitment to river health, highlighting initiatives such as live alerts for untreated discharges and substantial investments in infrastructure upgrades, including the Thames Tideway Tunnel and sewage treatment works enhancements. Despite ongoing efforts, challenges remain, underscoring the complex nature of the issue and the necessity for sustained collaboration and innovation to safeguard London's aquatic ecosystems.

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