…By Joseph Benjamin for TDPel Media.
The London Standard reported that London’s rivers were polluted by sewage for almost 7,000 hours last year.
The government was put under further pressure to take action against the firms responsible for this.
Thames, the biggest water firm in England, has been fined tens of millions of pounds over the past five years for untreated sewage leaks.
Despite calls for action, the government has not outlawed sewage dumping or taken significant steps to protect the environment.
Statistics Reveal Dire Effects of the Government’s Failure
According to Environment Agency data scrutinized by the Liberal Democrats, the Thames witnessed 769 toxic spills, lasting a total of 3,286 hours, equivalent to over 136 days.
Meanwhile, the River Roding, which flows through Essex and London, and forms Barking Creek as it approaches the Thames, witnessed the second-highest number of sewage releases in the capital at 237.
In total, 31 London waterways experienced 1,809 discharges lasting 6,968 hours.
Richmond Park MP Sarah Olney criticized the government for its continued failure to address the issue and urged them to apologize to locals for allowing water companies to continually use rivers as a sewage dumping ground.
Thames Water’s Efforts and Government’s Plan
Thames Water’s CEO, Sarah Bentley, has vowed to spend a record £1.6 billion on upgrading sewage treatment works and sewers over the next two years.
Additionally, the £4 billion Thames Tideway Tunnel is almost complete and will capture 95% of the volume of untreated sewage currently entering the tidal Thames in a typical year.
Thames Water also provides a real-time map of sewage discharges in the city.
The government has announced plans for unlimited fines for firms that dump sewage into rivers and seas.
Moreover, under further proposals announced this week, the firms will face legally binding targets to cut releases.
Analysis and Commentaries
The report highlights the serious environmental and public health hazards caused by the continued dumping of untreated sewage in London’s rivers.
The data indicates the urgency of the issue and the need for stronger regulatory measures and more significant investments by water companies.
Thames Water’s £1.6 billion pledge to upgrade sewage treatment works and sewers is a step in the right direction.
Still, it remains to be seen if it will be enough to address the issue fully.
The government’s plan for legally binding targets to cut sewage releases is a welcome move.
However, it’s unclear how effective this measure will be in enforcing strict compliance by water companies.
The ongoing battle to protect London’s rivers and waterways from the dangers of sewage dumping will require sustained efforts and cooperation from all stakeholders.