Sewage Discharge Incident at Chesham Treatment Works Sparks Outrage and Calls for Action
Sewage Discharge Sparks Outrage in Chesham Following Recent River Visit
Chesham, April 23, 2024 — A significant sewage discharge from the Chesham Sewage Treatment Works, managed by Thames Water, has raised alarms among local residents and environmental advocates. The discharge, which began at 7:45 AM and ceased by 2 PM on the same day, comes just a day after Liberal Democrat leader Ed Davey and Chesham MP Sarah Green waded into the River Chess, highlighting the importance of protecting local waterways.
During their visit on April 22, Davey expressed frustration over the ongoing issues with water companies, stating, "We shouldn’t be in a position where campaigners and volunteers are having to clean up the mess that incompetent water companies are leaving. From pumping filthy sewage into our rivers to losing millions of litres of water every day, water companies are continuing to let everybody down, and it’s unacceptably negligent."
This latest incident marks the third sewage discharge from the Chesham facility in just three months. Previous discharges occurred on February 26, with one lasting over four hours and another for half an hour. The River Chess Association, dedicated to the conservation and enhancement of this vital chalk stream, expressed their dismay on social media, noting that the discharge coincided with a week of volunteer efforts aimed at improving the river’s health.
Thames Water has acknowledged the challenges posed by the region’s aging infrastructure and extreme weather conditions. A spokesperson stated, "While all untreated storm discharges are unacceptable, the sewage system was historically designed to work in this way, to prevent sewage backing up into people’s homes. Our region experienced one of the wettest years in 2024, resulting in exceptionally high groundwater levels that have overwhelmed our sewer system."
The company has committed to upgrading 250 sites across the region to enhance treatment capacity and reduce untreated discharges. They emphasized their dedication to transparency, having launched a real-time data map that has garnered over 350,000 views in its first year.
Local environmental groups, including the River Chess Association, continue to advocate for better practices and accountability from water companies. As the community grapples with the implications of this discharge, the call for action grows louder, urging both the public and private sectors to prioritize the health of local waterways.
For more information on the recent visit by Ed Davey and Sarah Green, click here.