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The government has been taken to task over sewage dumping in the rivers that run through Reading.
The Labour party says it has been campaigning for legislation that would automatically fine water companies for discharging sewage into rivers.
Reading East MP Matt Rodda has been highlighting the negative impact sewage flow is having on the rivers that run through the town, raising the issue during a parliamentary debated on Tuesday, April 25.
“This is an appalling abuse, and one which residents and people working nearby should not have to put up with,” he said. “It is simply not acceptable that this type of pollution takes place in the 21st century.
“It simply shouldn’t be continuing, and I do think there is need for urgent action now. There needs to be a proper plan with automatic fines.”
Mr Rodda has written to Sarah Bentley, CEO of Thames Water, to express concern about sewage discharge into Foundry Brook.
Mr Rodda said: “Our rivers are a vital natural resource and should not be polluted in this way, for too long water companies have ignored the concerns of residents and continued to pump sewage into the Thames and our other rivers.
“Reading and Woodley are particularly badly affected by this dreadful practice as they sit downstream of a number of sewage treatment works where sewage is regularly discharged into the river.
“And, because the riverside is such an important open space for residents to walk and enjoy being in a green space or for boating and fishing.”
His letter in April follows an earlier letter from Mr Rodda on January 13 to raise the issue of sewage discharge into Berkshire’s rivers.
Previously, Thames Water has said that discharges of untreated sewage are ‘unacceptable’ and indicated it was working with the Government and the Environment Agency to take steps to stop them.
A spokesperson for Thames Water said: “It isn’t a case of alternatives as such but a combination of several things that need to happen to reduce discharges.
“This includes increasing capacity at sewage treatment sites where needed, stopping rainwater/surface water entering the sewers and therefore overwhelming them, stopping groundwater getting into the sewers and overwhelming them and reducing blockages which can reduce capacity in the network.”
Prime Minister Rishi Sunak the Conservative MP for Richmond introduced an amendment to Labour’s motion which was agreed by 290 votes to 188.
And Thérèse Coffey, environment secretary and Conservative MP for Suffolk Coastal said the government commitments to reduce sewage discharges by 2050 would be enshrined in law.
