112% increase in sewage dumps by Thames Water last year 

New figures released by the Environment Agency have shown that Thames Water discharged sewage a staggering 16,990 times last year, a 112% rise compared to 2022. 

Locally, Thames Water spilled sewage into the River Graveney 127 times over 2023, for a total of 209.5 hours as well as into the Wandle, Beverley Brook and the Hogsmill.

Wimbledon Liberal Democrats are calling for tougher action against sewage dumping in local rivers, including replacing Ofwat with a tougher regulator. Campaigners have also called for a ban on bonuses for water company bosses whose firms have dumped sewage into waterways.

Conservative MPs have consistently voted against measures which would have helped to tackle the crisis, including the MP for Wimbledon, Stephen Hammond.

Liberal Democrat Parliamentary Candidate for Wimbledon, Cllr Paul Kohler, said:

"It is a complete scandal that filthy sewage is being pumped into Wimbledon's rivers and waterways. 

"Our community should not be forced to put up with this any longer yet time and again this Conservative government has voted against tougher action on sewage dumping. 

"The Liberal Democrats have been leading the way in holding water companies to account and have called for tougher action to stop sewage being dumped in local rivers. We need to see a ban on bonuses for water company bosses whose firms have pumped filth into our waterways and to ensure that our natural environment is protected."

ENDS

Notes : 

For more details for Cllr Paul Kohler, including photos, see here. See our pledge to stop sewage dumping here.

Liberal Democrat analysis of Environment Agency data can be found here. Source (Environment Agency): https://environment.data.gov.uk/dataset/21e15f12-0df8-4bfc-b763-45226c16a8ac 

Sewage spills by local area from the Environment Agency which can be found here.

Conservative MPs who voted against tougher action on sewage can be found here. (If voted 'aye' it means that the MP voted to allow sewage dumping).