Sewage dumps by Thames Water more than double in a year

Sewage dumps by Thames Water more than DOUBLE in the last year 

New figures released by the Environment Agency have shown that Thames Water, which covers Windsor discharged sewage a staggering 16,990 times last year, a 112% rise compared to 2022 - more than doubling the number of discharges. 

The Liberal Democrats in Windsor are calling for tougher action against sewage dumping in local rivers, including replacing OfWat with a tougher regulator.  The party has also called for a ban on bonuses for water company bosses whose firms have dumped sewage into waterways and are allowing it to flood out again.

Conservative MPs have consistently voted against measures which would have helped to tackle the crisis, including MP for Windsor Adam Afriyie.

As far back as 2022, RBWM Liberal Democrat Councillors were demanding that Thames Water be held to account for the scandal of our polluted waterways.  Disappointingly, despite the shocking increase in sewage discharges in our area, nothing has been done. 

Liberal Democrat candidate for Windsor, Julian Tisi  said:

“Thames Water should be ashamed! Time and again they continue to pump foul effluence into our rivers."

“Our communities should not be forced to put up with this any longer – nor should they put up with the Conservatives' pathetic response.  The Conservatives have repeatedly voted to let Thames Water off the hook and against tougher action on sewage dumping.

“And to add insult to injury, Thames Water shareholders have now decided that, rather than digging into their own pockets to fulfil their responsibilities, they want customers to pay again for the improvements that are desperately needed.

"Here in Windsor (and Maidenhead), the Liberal Democrats have been leading the way in holding water companies to account and have called for tougher action to stop sewage being dumped in the Thames. Local Lib Dem have been leading these calls and taking action,  while the Conservatives, locally and nationally, have just sat on their hands.

"Thames Water and OfWat need to answer for this.  Residents in Eton Wick, Datchet, Wraysbury, Windsor, Virgina Water and other affected communities need action now.  We need a regulator who will take action, and a ban on bonuses for water company bosses whose firms have pumped sewage into our waterways, damaging our environment, endangering our wildlife.  We need to make sure our local communities are protected."