Oxford protest against Thames Water dumping of sewage

Wolvercote councillor Jo Sandelson said: "We are joining together with other political and activist groups to demand an end to sewage dumping, and the public is very welcome to join in."

She explained: “Just over a year ago my local swimming group, Brrrrr! organised a large protest on this spot against river pollution following Layla Moran’s November 2021 debate at Westminster.

"Thames Water has been pouring untreated sewage into our stretch of the River Thames to the north and west of Oxford.

"The Government responded by granting us Bathing Water Status. It sounded like a victory, but actually only means monitoring the pollution, not cleaning up the water.

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"Thames Water is still allowed to pollute the river and waterways. They have even done so even in dry weather on the majority of days this January. This is illegal.

"Thames Water say they are spending £15 million improving and maintaining Witney sewage treatment works but it’s nowhere near enough. Large local developments, despite some mitigations, will put more strain on an already vulnerable system."

Councillor Jo Sandelson (Image: Oxford City Council)

Ms Sandelson said she had concerns about several large developments about to be built within a relatively small radius of Wolvercote Mill Stream.

"Oxford North alone is building one million square foot of office space by the roundabout. There is also massive run-off from farming where toxic waste from fertilisers such as phosphates enter the water.

"We need joined up thinking and action.

"On a floodplain like Port Meadow, the polluted water overflows onto our common land. This is a health risk for residents and the whole environment. We need a system that is going to work sooner than the nearly 30 years we’ve been promised.

"Why can’t Thames Water upgrade their treatment system in step with development, after all there is no shortage of funds for shareholder dividends and management bonuses for both Thames Water and Environment Agency top executives.

"Why isn’t Central Government exercising control?”

A wild water protest (Image: Public)

A Thames Water spokesperson said a £15million upgrade of Witney sewage works has started and will increase the site’s treatment capacity by 60 per cent, with completion expected to be in early 2024.

“As a member of the Oxford Rivers Project, who made the application for designated bathing water status at Wolvercote Mill Stream, we’ll continue to work with our partners to understand what more needs to be done to ensure consistently good water quality in the Thames and we’ve invited members of Extinction Rebellion to visit our sites and meet the teams who look after them.

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“We’re also aware that last year was an unusual year for river flows across the country following the hot weather periods and drought we’ve experienced over the summer. This is why the Environment Agency’s assessment for designated bathing status looks at three years of river water quality results.”

On dividends, they added: Our shareholders are in it for the long term, and have not taken a dividend for five years to prioritise investment in improving service for customers and to protect the environment."

The protest is at Port Meadow, Oxford. Meet in Godstow Road car park at 12noon on Saturday January 28.

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This story was written by Miranda Norris, she joined the team in 2021 and covers news across Oxfordshire as well as news from Witney.

Get in touch with her by emailing: Miranda.Norris@newsquest.co.uk. Or find her on Twitter: @Mirandajnorris

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