West Oxfordshire District Council calls on government support to address sewage pollution and support infrastructure improvements

Recent sewage discharges from Thames Water’s storm overflows have contributed to significant pollution in local rivers, affecting wildlife and water quality. Whilst the Council remains committed to working with Thames Water to address these issues, it believes government support is essential to ensure the scale of improvements required is delivered. 

Cllr Lidia Arciszewska, Executive Member for Environment, said, "In 2024, Thames Water discharged raw sewage into West Oxfordshire’s rivers for over 27,000 hours, a 25% increase on the year before, and around two months of spilling at each sewage treatment works. These alarming figures underscore the scale of the challenge in protecting our rivers. 

"Although Thames Water is permitted to discharge sewage only in exceptional circumstances, these discharges have become all too frequent, having a catastrophic impact on our rivers, wildlife, and the ability for our communities to enjoy these natural spaces. 

“Residents continue to face recurring sewage problems, including sewage backing up into homes, gardens, public spaces, and fields. These issues are a direct result of decades of underinvestment in the sewerage network, which is now overwhelmed.” 

Despite limited legal authority to act directly, the Council has made significant strides in its work with Thames Water, including introducing a Validation Checklist for planning applications to ensure sewage infrastructure meets new demands and advocating for Grampian conditions to prevent new homes from being occupied until the necessary sewage capacity is in place. 

However, with local rivers facing continued pollution from storm overflows and infiltration into ageing sewage infrastructure, the Council believes further progress cannot be made without national leadership. The cost of bringing the infrastructure up to capacity has raised concerns that it exceeds Thames Water’s current financial ability. With the government today announcing £7.9bn in investment for water companies to use for national water infrastructure improvements, the Council is hopeful this momentum will continue and help address the challenges faced in West Oxfordshire. 

Cllr Arciszewska continued, “Our aging sewage infrastructure, with up to 40% of the flow coming from infiltration, is simply not equipped to cope with the demands placed on it. Many of our sewage treatment works have insufficient treatment capacity, leaving our rivers vulnerable to further pollution. 

“The Council has been pushing for action, but it’s clear that we need the government’s support to ensure the necessary infrastructure upgrades can be made, to safeguard our rivers and protect our communities.” 

As part of the Council’s commitment to reducing sewage pollution in local rivers and waterways, the Leader of the Council will be writing to the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, requesting that Thames Water be placed into a Special Administration Regime to address these issues.  

Cllr Andy Graham, Leader of West Oxfordshire District Council, said, “As a Council, our priority is, as always, the health and wellbeing of our communities and natural environment. The ongoing sewage discharges into our rivers and the pressure on our local infrastructure cannot be ignored any longer.  

"We urgently need government support to ensure that the necessary improvements are made, protecting both our residents and the natural spaces they cherish. Now is the time for decisive action to prevent further harm and ensure a sustainable future for not only West Oxfordshire’s waterways but waterways across the south.”