Concerns raised over significant increase in sewage discharge in River Chess in 2024

The River Chess Association has raised concerns over a significant increase in sewage discharges into the river, with data showing a staggering rise from 19 hours in 2023 to 2,681 hours in 2024. Chair Paul Jennings described it as a “miserable year” for the river, highlighting the detrimental impact on the ecosystem.

The prolonged sewage discharges have led to the river bed being coated with sewage fungus, affecting the breeding success of fish and altering the chemical composition of the water. The association has called on Thames Water to take action, emphasizing the need for repairs to the sewer system to prevent further pollution.

Thames Water has stated that they have a plan in place to address the issue, including increasing the operational capacity of the Chesham Sewage Treatment Works. However, Mr. Jennings believes that more drastic measures are required to eliminate sewage discharges completely, estimating a 600% increase in operating capacity is needed.

While Thames Water acknowledges the problem, they also point out that various factors contribute to river health, including farming, industry, road runoff, and wildlife. They have committed to upgrading their sites to improve treatment capacity and reduce storm discharges, emphasizing transparency in their efforts to protect waterways.

The ongoing sewage discharges into the River Chess highlight the urgent need for collaborative action to safeguard the health of our rivers and ecosystems.