Thames Water has again come under fire from an Oxfordshire MP as data indicates there has been continuous sewage overflow at Witney Sewage Works since December 30, 2023.
The sewage discharge has been ongoing for more than 122 hours and shows no sign of stopping.
Layla Moran MP for Oxford West and Abingdon has been a vocal critic of Thames Water’s behaviour, previously questioning an Environment Minister in parliament on the Government's plans to resolve the issue.
She said: "I am disgusted, but sadly not surprised, that Thames Water are continuing to pump sewage into our rivers.
"This is just the latest indictment of their shocking environmental record.
"I was really disappointed to hear that swimmers had to cancel their New Year’s day swim due to potential sewage in the river.
"This shows Thames Water’s continued disregard for local people and Oxfordshire’s waterways.
"The freezing cold water should be the only thing swimmers worry about, not sewage floating by them.
"There needs to be a ban on sewage discharges in swimming areas.
"When will Conservative Ministers finally clamp down on profiteering water firms who are destroying our environment?
"The Government needs to take urgent action and hold water companies to account for their negligent behaviour, and make sure they clean up their act."
The sewage centre at Witney feeds into the River Windrush, a tributary of the River Thames, and is positioned upstream from Wolvercote Mill Stream at Port Meadow.
This means that any sewage released here potentially making the bathing area water unsafe to swim in.
A Thames Water spokesperson said: “We regard all discharges as unacceptable, and we have published plans to upgrade over 250 of our sewage treatment works and sewers.
"We’re currently increasing sewage treatment capacity at a number of our sewage works across the Thames Valley, including Witney Sewage Treatment Works which is expected to be completed in 2024.
“Taking action to improve the health of rivers is a key focus for us and we want to lead the way with our transparent approach to data."
Sewage is now being discharged into almost every river upstream of Oxford, and not just on the Thames.
Thames Water treatment centres located on the Cherwell, Windrush, Ray and Evenlode are also discharging sewage via their storm overflows.
The contamination of the water has already led to the cancellation of a New Year’s Day swim at Wolvercote Mill Stream.
A meeting to discuss measures to protect swimming areas was agreed upon between Layla Moran and the Environment Minister.
Liberal Democrats are campaigning for the government to end sewage dumping and transition England’s water companies into public benefit entities.
They are also recommending the replacement of Ofwat with a new regulator having significant powers to prevent sewage dumping.
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