Royal Borough backs call for water authorities to fix 'broken model' of sewage pollution

The Royal Borough has backed a plan to pressure water authorities to fix the ‘broken model’ of sewage pollution.

A motion that called on Thames Water, regulators and government, to better protect waterways was considered at a full council meeting last week.

It received unanimous support from councillors who criticised ‘toothless regulators’ and the ‘horrific’ impact of pollution on residents and the environment.

Councillor Mark Wilson (Lib Deb, Eton & Castle), who proposed the motion, said: “The model is broken.

“We need tighter permits, more enforcement capability for the Environment Agency, and ultimately to change the model of operation so that the water companies’ sole focus is providing a water utility service that is fit for purpose for the whole country.”

Cllr Wilson’s ward made headlines last week over pollution in the Roundmoor Ditch stream in Eton Wick.

After sewage releases last month, residents living near the stream saw swarms of flies and said the water turned a ‘toxic’ blue colour.

Fears were also raised over increased flood risk caused by high levels of nutrients which could encourage weed growth and lead to slower water flow.

Part of the motion called on Thames Water to agree to an annual maintenance plan of the Roundmoor, to ensure it maintains a steady flow.

The motion also called for tougher regulators and tighter laws to clamp down on polluters.

Fellow Eton & Castle councillor, Julian Tisi (Lib Dem) said: “We have inadequate legislation, watered down – if you’ll pardon the pun – from when we were in the European Union.

“We have toothless regulators – OFWAT (Water Services Regulation Authority), the Environment Agency – underfunded and not doing their job.”

Thames Water is permitted to discharge raw sewage into rivers and streams through Combined Sewage Overflows (CSOs), when there is a risk of flooding of a sewage works.

In addition to tougher laws, councillors requested that Thames Water invest in improvements so that sewage was contained in its treatment works.

Councillors also agreed to an amendment in Cllr Wilson’s motion, which added a reference to The Cut which passes through Cox Green, Ockwell’s Park and Bray.

It has too endured pollution - from a Thames Water sewage outlet in Bracknell.

Cabinet member for climate change, biodiversity and Windsor Town Council, Karen Davies (Lib Dem, Clewer East), said:

“The impact is horrific, so the water companies – Thames Water, like all the water companies – must be made to fix the mess that they’ve created and not expect us to pick up the bill.”

The motion saw cross-party support as Lib Dems, Conservatives and Independents gave their backing.

Tory councillor for Bray, Cllr Leo Walters said: “Nobody can do anything but vote for this motion, it [sewage pollution] is a terrible national scandal it really is.”

The council leader is now set to write to Thames Water, the Environment Agency and the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) to request the motion’s proposals are met.

A Defra spokesperson said: “The volume of sewage pollution in our waters is completely unacceptable, which is why we are taking tough action to hold polluters to account, including a consultation to ban water bosses’ bonuses when criminal breaches have occurred and quadrupling water company inspections.

“We cannot switch off storm overflows overnight as they have been designed into the system to stop sewage backing up into properties, but we are requiring water company’s to deliver the largest investment in water company history - £60 billion over 25 years – to cut the number of spills by hundreds of thousands every year.”

An Environment Agency spokesperson told the Advertiser: “We are clear that sewage pollution is unacceptable, and Thames Water must take action to reduce the risk of pollution reaching the river from their treatment sites.”

They said the agency was taking action to increase investment and hold water companies to account through unlimited fines and more inspections.

A Thames Water spokesperson said the company had agreed to weed clearance in the Roundmoor and Boveney ditches, as well as improving its Slough treatment plant – to reduce the need for sewage discharges.

They added: “We will continue to liaise with the local stakeholders in the vicinity to discuss a robust long-term solution until the upgrades have been completed.