OCC leader launches scathing attack on Thames Water amid claims of sewage spills “into the streets”

Cllr Liz Leffman, who represents Charlbury and Finstock at district level, said: “Not only are Thames Water polluting our rivers, they are failing to recognise many of the other aspects of their work that affect our residents on an almost daily basis.

“In my ward we have a pumping station which has never been properly invested in. Sewage flows not just into the river but actually into the streets and this is completely unacceptable.

“When residents complain and ask for something to be done, Thames Water does not even have the records to know that these events have happened previously.

"Residents have to go through the rigmarole of reporting again and again to get any action at all, the same is true when it comes to discharge into our rivers."

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She revealed she had been contacted by a market research firm that is gauging views on what council leaders think of Thames Water.

“I have to say, my responses were not very flattering,” she said.

She called on the Government to clamp down on water companies.

“But, however much we might dislike Thames Water and the way they behave, the responsibility ultimately lies with the government," she said. "It simply has not regulated effectively to make our water companies look after our environment, keep our rivers clean, make sure we have healthy drinking water and that our towns and villages are safe from overflows of sewage.

“Unless and until the government decides to do that, I am afraid we are going to struggle to get Thames Water to do very much. They are not guided by the needs of their users or residents, or indeed aspects of the environment, they are guided by their shareholders who do not live in this country. That is a fundamental flaw."

West Oxfordshire will ask Thames Water for details of its capital improvements, operating capacity, spills and pumping station failures from sewage treatment works and any sanctions that have followed over the past 10 years and its plans to improve facilities over the next five years after a motion was voted through at a meeting of full council.

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“While I support this motion, I also believe we should be doing more in making it apparent to government that we will not tolerate this in future," said Ms Leffman.

“Enough, frankly, is enough. The fact we are seeing our rivers polluted is, unfortunately, just the tip of the iceberg.”