U-turn after sewage row

All areas: Controversy over law amendment

A Royal Borough nature group has welcomed a Government uturn which will crack down on companies pumping sewage into waterways after ministers faced a backlash.

The House of Lords passed an amendment to the Environment Bill last week to order stronger action against firms discharging sewage into rivers.

They wanted to place a ‘legal duty’ on water companies to ensure ‘reasonable steps’ are taken to prevent sewage being released in the event of storms.

Firms are legally allowed to discharge sewage when there has been heavy rainfall to avoid the system failing.

But MPs controversially voted to take out the legal duty from the amendment when voting it through the House of Commons on October 20.

Maidenhead MP Theresa May, Windsor’s Adam Afriyie and Marlow’s Joy Morrissey received criticism for their decision to take out the line – but many ministers defended their vote, because of concerns that the amendment would not be realistic in its original form.

The Government eventually took a u-turn on Tuesday when it announced that it would in fact be placing a legal duty on water firms ‘to secure a reduction in the impact of sewage discharges from storm overflows’.

Mike Copland, chairman of nature group WildCookham, said: “It's great news that the Government has bowed to pressure, but it is very disappointing that when it comes to legislation their first instinct is to bow to the polluters.

“Every bit of untreated sewage, every bit of chemical run-off, leads to habitat destruction and species loss. No more excuses.”

Fiona Hewer, chairman of WildMaidenhead, added: “This is an important issue for our area and something that needs to be taken seriously. Cookham and Maidenhead is just downstream from the Little Marlow sewage treatment works so this is a very real issue.”

Fiona said that she would like to see the Environment Agency (EA) ‘better resourced’ and added there is an emphasis on companies to stop discharging sewage and improve their infrastructure.

A Thames Water spokeswoman said: “It’s our view that discharges of untreated sewage are simply unacceptable, even when they are legally permitted, and we’ll work with the Government, Ofwat and the EA to accelerate work.

“We have a long way to go – and we certainly can’t do it on our own – but the ambition is clear.”

The Government’s Environment Secretary George Eustice MP said: “Earlier this summer, the Government published a new strategy for Ofwat, mandating them to progressively reduce the discharge of sewage from storm overflows.

“Following a debate in the

House of Commons last week, we are announcing that we will put that commitment on a statutory footing with a new clause.”