Thames Water data shows dozens of storm overflows were discharging sewage into waters across London, the South East and the East of England a day after the firm was named as one of three companies responsible for the majority of water pollution events in 2024.
Storm overflows are used to prevent sewers flooding homes, gardens and streets. They are intended to be used as a safety valve, diverting some of the rainwater and untreated sewage water into watercourses.
A map on the Thames Water website showed 35 discharges were active on Saturday afternoon, with dozens more having occurred in the past 48 hours.
Each discharge alert means there could be sewage in the corresponding section of the watercourse.
Some discharges have been ongoing for hours, with results from a monitor at Honeypot Lane, which feeds into Kenton Brook, showing a discharge there has been ongoing for 7 hours and 40 minutes and counting.
Thames Water’s event duration monitoring map shows near real-time discharge activity over the past 48 hours (Photo: Thames Water)It comes after much of the UK experienced heavy downpours and the Met Office issued several yellow weather warnings for thunderstorms and rain. More rain is forecast for the rest of Saturday through to Monday, with up to 90mm possible in just two hours in places.
Thames Water says although its event duration monitoring map provides valuable insight to how its storm overflows are working, it is not always accurate.
An Environment Agency (EA) report published on Friday found serious water pollution incidents increased 60 per cent in 2024.
More than 80 per cent of the 75 water pollution events were driven by Thames Water (33 incidents), Southern Water (15) and Yorkshire Water (13).
A record 50 per cent more untreated sewage was discharged into rivers in England by Thames Water in 2024 compared with the previous 12 months, The Guardian reported in March.
The EA said persistent underinvestment in new infrastructure, poor asset maintenance, and reduced resilience due to the impacts of climate change were all among the reasons for the 2024 results highlighted in its report.
However, the watchdog’s stance is that none of these factors, including wet weather, can excuse the “unacceptable number of incidents”.
The latest discharges come ahead of the Government’s imminent water reforms announcement.
Sources told The i Paper that the water regulator, Ofwat, could be scrapped in name only or merged with parts of the Environment Agency.
The move marks a victory for The i Paper’s Save Britain’s Rivers campaign, which has called on ministers to reform the water industry regulators.
Environment Secretary Steve Reed is expected to pledge a “root and branch” reform of the water industry on Monday, saying that “regulation has failed customers and the environment”.
It is understood that Reed’s promised reforms, along with greater investment in the crumbling sewerage network, are expected to make further significant increases in water bills unnecessary.
Thames Water has been approached for comment.
Hence then, the article about heavy rain sparks sewage discharges across london as pollution incidents up 60 was published today ( ) and is available on inews ( Middle East ) The editorial team at PressBee has edited and verified it, and it may have been modified, fully republished, or quoted. You can read and follow the updates of this news or article from its original source.
Read More Details
Finally We wish PressBee provided you with enough information of ( Heavy rain sparks sewage discharges across London as pollution incidents up 60% )
Also on site :
- 12-year old Russian beats world chess champion
- Body recovered from Lake Natoma amid search for missing man
- ‘The Princess Bride’ Star Cary Elwes Shares Tribute to Rob Reiner: ‘From That Very First Meeting I Fell In Love With Him’