An MP from Oxfordshire has criticised the shocking sewage releases from Thames Water and has contacted chief executive Chris Weston for answers.
Olly Glover, the member for Didcot and Wantage, has asked for information about planned upgrades to wastewater treatment works in his constituency and explanations for steps being taken to prevent overflow incidents.
The Liberal Democrat MP cited Environment Agency data for 2025 showing that effluent was discharged into Letcombe Brook for 170 hours across 30 distinct occasions.
Latest figures from sewagemap.co.uk for the six-month period ending Monday, April 13 indicate that the Wantage Sewage Treatment Plant released waste into Letcombe Brook for 567 hours and 30 minutes.
According to Mr Glover, these alarming figures only scratch the surface of the issue affecting his Didcot and Wantage constituency. He described the situation as deeply upsetting and frustrating for both himself and local residents who take great pride in the area. He said these numbers reveal a serious failure to protect and maintain crucial waterways.
A Thames Water spokesperson explained that the start of the year has seen substantially wetter conditions than the same timeframe last year, with the country receiving over 115 per cent of the average long-term rainfall. The spokesperson added that because of this heavy rainfall, certain permitted storm overflows throughout their network have been triggered.
The sewage discharge matter has gained renewed attention in recent months following the broadcast of the acclaimed Channel 4 documentary Dirty Business. Located in west Oxfordshire, the programme investigated the work of the Windrush Against Sewage Pollution group concerning sewage releases.
At the same time, Wantage and Grove – communities served by the Wantage facility – are undergoing rapid expansion with several housing developments either under construction or planned for the area. These encompass the 2,500-home project at Wellington Gate and the 1,500-dwelling scheme at Kingsgrove.
Councillor Ron Batstone has argued that, given this growth, local wastewater systems need immediate improvement.
The Liberal Democrat MP stated that these discharges cannot be accepted and there must be a plan to reduce them. He emphasised that sewage treatment infrastructure urgently needs modernising to cope with the new building in Grove and Wantage.
Thames Water stated they are carrying out one of the biggest network upgrades in 150 years and confirmed they assess each development application on its own merits, attaching planning conditions where necessary.
Mr Glover also said that protecting local rivers and streams is vital. He noted that Letcombe Brook, a globally rare chalk stream, contains protected species such as white-clawed crayfish and water voles, yet the sewage discharges threaten the invaluable wildlife the watercourse supports.
He has yet to receive a reply from Thames Water regarding his questions.