Raw sewage was released across Berkshire during and after Storm Ciaran, according to Thames Water.
The water company’s online discharge map showed at least 20 locations across the county where its sewage systems overflowed in the hours before, during and after the storm.
Thames Water said untreated sewage discharges happen when its sewage systems can’t cope with heavy rain. When this happens it opens storm overflows, releasing the rain and foul water into watercourses.
The water company’s online storm overflow map revealed at least 20 places across Berkshire where its censors recorded overflows during the 48-hour period when Storm Ciaran hit.
A list of local reported overflow sites included Arborfield, Ashridge in Wokingham and Wargrave.
Thames Water has come under fire for the number of times it has discharged raw sewage into waterways. The water company discharged sewage water into waterways more than 8,000 times in 2022, 777 of which were storm overflows.
Thames Water said it plans to spend some £1.6 billion on upgrading its infrastructure.
A spokesperson said: “We regard all discharges as unacceptable, and we have published plans to upgrade more than 250 of our sewage treatment works and sewers.”
