Latest Figures: Thames Water dumped sewage in our rivers more than 8,000 times
New figures released by the Environment Agency show the water company serving Guildford discharged sewage into waterways 8,014 times last year.
The sewage discharges by Thames Water in 2022 lasted nearly 75,000 hours.
The Government allows water companies to discharge raw sewage into rivers, lakes and coastlines following a storm. This includes sewage being pumped into bathing water areas and wildlife habitats.
Liberal Democrat Parliamentary Candidate for Guildford Zöe Franklin has called for a ban on these sewage discharges in protected waters, as well as a ban on water company executives being paid multi-million-pound bonuses.
Ms Franklin said: "I will continue my campaign to save our waterways from these scandalous sewage discharges. Local people across our area tell me they want action and this appalling pollution must end."
The latest Environment Agency data released on Friday 31st March shows raw sewage was spilt into English rivers 824 times a day last year - despite there being barely any rainfall and most of the country being in drought.
The Liberal Democrats in Parliament recently revealed water companies breached their sewage permits more than 500 times last year, double compared to the previous year.
Zöe Franklin added:
"It cannot be right that Thames Water makes millions of pounds in profits, while it continues to dump sewage in our precious rivers and waterways.
"Thames Water discharged sewage an average of 22 times every day last year. Serious damage has already been done to our environment and wildlife habitats. If the Government genuinely cared, it would act to end this.
"The Environment Agency's latest figures are a damning indictment of the Government's feeble attempt to stop Thames Water dumping sewage into our waterways. It is scandalous and must be stopped."
8th April 2023
FURTHER INFORMATION
Environment Agency data can be found here.
Written Parliamentary Question and Ministerial response to Tim Farron on water company breaches.