Five-fold increase in Thames sewage

THERE is a reason for the smells when boating on the Thames.

It is from the dramactic increase in sewage dumped in the river by Thames Water that has increased five fold.

Swans and ducks can be seen in the sewage in the river, after a discharge from Windsor Sewage Treatment Works.

Sewage released

Between April and December 2023, the company released sewage into London’s waterways for 6,590 hours, 11 minutes and 54 seconds, according to City Hall calculations.

This compares with 1,421 hours in the same period in 2022, and calculates a five-fold increase.

Sadiq Khan, the Mayor of London, wrote to Chris Weston, the Chief Executive of Thames Water, warning him that the state of the city’s rivers is 'an appalling advert for privatisation'.