Thames Water discharged untreated sewage into the River Thames in West London for over 14 uninterrupted hours earlier this month. The Mogden Sewage Treatment Works in Isleworth, the third largest sewage treatment centre in the UK, released raw waste into the river on Tuesday, June 2, between 9:10 am and 11:40 pm.
Local Councillor Speaks Out
Councillor Salman Shaheen, representing Isleworth and responsible for Environment, Transport and Public Realm on Hounslow Council's Cabinet, condemned the incident. He noted that the area is used by families for swimming and called the discharge unacceptable. Shaheen criticised the legally binding target set by the previous Conservative Government to end untreated sewage dumping by 2050, stating it is too far away and urging Thames Water to take immediate action.
Lack of Storm Tank Capacity
One of the reasons for the dumping is insufficient storm tank capacity to handle heavy rainfall. Shaheen claimed Thames Water has been reluctant to increase this capacity, citing cost concerns. He argued that incremental changes, such as expanding storm tanks, are necessary to offset current problems.
A Thames Water spokesperson defended the practice, stating that storm overflows operate within Environment Agency limits and prevent sewage backing up into homes. They highlighted a five-year plan to deliver the largest wastewater network upgrade in 150 years, including increased treatment capacity and fewer storm discharges. The company also noted that discharge events were three times lower than the previous year and that they provide near real-time alerts for untreated discharges.
Call for Nationalisation
Shaheen described the situation as a national emergency and called for the nationalisation of Thames Water, arguing that a private company run for profit is not equipped to handle the crisis. He urged Environment Secretary Emma Reynolds to visit Isleworth after rain to experience the smell of sewage firsthand. The idea of nationalisation has gained momentum, with Andy Burnham backing public control. Meanwhile, Secretary Reynolds cast doubt on a £10 billion rescue deal, warning it would place an undue burden on customers.
Broader Concerns
In 2022, it was revealed that Thames Water dumped two billion litres of sewage into the Thames in just two days in 2020. Additionally, Mogden Sewage Treatment Works is central to a plan to take up to 75 million litres of water a day from the Thames during droughts, replacing it with highly treated sewage. Campaigners warn this process risks introducing micropollutants into the river.
