Conservationists allege rivers are being polluted with dirty water
SHARE:
Environmental activists are calling for action over malfunctioning water systems in London, alleging Thames Water has been unlawfully pumping dirty water back into rivers and lakes.
Extinction Rebellion’s campaign ‘Don’t Pay for Dirty Water’ launched in London earlier this month, the latest development in a long-running battle to clean up waterways.
Paul Powlesland, founder of the protectionist group the River Roding Trust, describes the actions of Thames Water as ‘criminal deceitful behaviour’. He is still awaiting a response to his complaint about ‘illegal discharge’ from a storm sewer overflow three years ago.
Legal permits on storm tanks and sewage draining systems can be renewed by the Environment Agency so long as they are fully operational and still in use.
Theo Thomas, member of the London river charity Thames Waterkeepers, highlights the ‘interesting example’ of the Romford Road Storm Tank. Like many other tanks in London, it is not fitted with a discharge-tracking monitor. This makes it hard to hold Thames Water accountable, due to the difficulty of proving allegations of unlawful outflow.
Extinction Rebellion started their campaign earlier this month. Credit: Extinction Rebellion.
A resident of Little Ilford fell ill due to a faulty sewage tank in the area, according to Extinction Rebellion member Rob Callender. The group is planning to protest against the Thames Water shareholders meeting early next month.
City News contacted Thames Water Press Office for comment, but received no response. Previous statements by a Thames Water spokesperson indicated that £2 billion will be spent in an effort to half the ‘total annual duration’ of discharges by 2030.
Submitted Article
Headline
Short Headline
Standfirst
Published Article
HeadlineCampaigners demand answers from Thames Water over unlawful sewage disposal
Short HeadlineAccusations of negligence over sewage leaks
StandfirstActivists say Thames Water has been taking part in "criminal behaviour" and failing to respond to enquiries.
Environmental activists are calling for action over malfunctioning water systems in London, alleging Thames Water has been unlawfully pumping dirty water back into rivers and lakes.
Extinction Rebellion’s campaign ‘Don’t Pay for Dirty Water’ launched in London earlier this month, the latest development in a long-running battle to clean up waterways.
Paul Powlesland, founder of the protectionist group the River Roding Trust, describes the actions of Thames Water as ‘criminal deceitful behaviour’. He is still awaiting a response to his complaint about ‘illegal discharge’ from a storm sewer overflow three years ago.
Legal permits on storm tanks and sewage draining systems can be renewed by the Environment Agency so long as they are fully operational and still in use.
Theo Thomas, member of the London river charity Thames Waterkeepers, highlights the ‘interesting example’ of the Romford Road Storm Tank. Like many other tanks in London, it is not fitted with a discharge-tracking monitor. This makes it hard to hold Thames Water accountable, due to the difficulty of proving allegations of unlawful outflow.
Extinction Rebellion started their campaign earlier this month. Credit: Extinction Rebellion.
A resident of Little Ilford fell ill due to a faulty sewage tank in the area, according to Extinction Rebellion member Rob Callender. The group is planning to protest against the Thames Water shareholders meeting early next month.
City News contacted Thames Water Press Office for comment, but received no response. Previous statements by a Thames Water spokesperson indicated that £2 billion will be spent in an effort to half the ‘total annual duration’ of discharges by 2030.
