Calls for water bosses to be held accountable for sewage discharged in a Cotswold village
2,000 hours of sewage was discharged in a Cotswold village last year.
People are calling for water bosses to be held accountable after 2,000 hours of sewage which was discharged in a Cotswold village last year.
Large amounts of sewage were pumped into the River Coln at the Andoversford Water Treatment Works in 2023.
Gloucestershire County Councillor Paul Hodgkinson says the shocking figures mean the Andoversford Water Treatment site is one of the top polluters in the country.
He said: "These sewage discharges really are disgusting. Local people are rightly very angry about this, just as I am.
"In my view the government needs to bring in much tougher legislation against the water companies, because at the moment they're using a loop hole which says when there is excessive rain and the system is under pressure they can discharge sewage. We need to stop this."
In 2022, sewage found its way into the River Coln for 800 hours. This latest set of figures mean a doubling of the amount of sewage being pumped into the river.
Thames Water has also been subject to criticism regarding the River Windrush near Bourton after a local lobby group revealed the extent of pollution there. The company has recently revealed that it is in financial difficulties.
A Thames Water spokesperson said that while all discharges are unacceptable, unfortunately in some circumstances they are necessary.
A Defra spokesperson said:
“Sewage pollution in our waters is unacceptable, which is why we are consulting on banning water bosses’ bonuses when criminal breaches have occurred, as well as quadrupling water company inspections and fast-tracking investment to cut spills.
“100% of overflows are now being monitored and if water companies, including Thames Water, are found to breach their permits action will be taken – up to and including criminal prosecution.”