Thames Water has responded to sewage dumping accusations from Extinction Rebellion protesters saying “it’s understandable why the public are demanding more from water companies to do better.”

A Thames Water spokesperson said: “Taking action to improve the health of rivers is a key focus for us and we have planned investment in our local sewage treatment works to reduce the need for untreated discharges, such as the major £17million expansion at Witney, which is expected to be completed in early 2024.

READ MORE: Protesters gather at popular swimming spot to protest sewage dumping in rivers

“We regard all discharge of untreated sewage is unacceptable, and it’s understandable why the public are demanding more from water companies to do better. “As a member of the Oxford Rivers Project, who made the application for designated bathing water status at Wolvercote Mill Stream, we’ll continue to work with our partners to understand what more needs to be done to ensure consistently good water quality in the Thames.”

The responses come after a series of accusations were laid against the water company by Extinction Rebellion protesters at a demonstration in Oxford on Saturday (July 1).

The group claimed that Thames Water’s primary focus is on its shareholders, and not on its infrastructure and the public interest.

The Thames Water spokesperson continued: “We recently announced our plans to invest £1.6 billion on our sewage treatment works and networks over the next two years and are striving every day to reduce the discharge of untreated sewage into our rivers.

“This will help us to deliver our commitment to a 50 per cent reduction in the total annual duration of discharges across London and the Thames Valley by 2030, and within that an 80 per cent reduction in sensitive catchments.

“At the beginning of the year we published an online map providing close to real-time information about storm discharges from all of our 468 permitted locations and this continues to be updated with information on improvements being planned for more than 250 sites across our region.

“Stopping discharges altogether will take time and sustained investment, however each step we take on this journey is a move in the right direction.”

Amid reports that the company is on its last financial legs, Thames Water released this statement: “As envisaged in June 2022, Thames Water received the expected £500 million of new funding from its shareholders in March 2023 and is continuing to work constructively with its shareholders in relation to the further equity funding expected to be required to support Thames Water’s turnaround and investment plans.

“Thames Water continues to maintain a strong liquidity position, including £4.4 billion of cash and committed funding, as at March 31.”

 

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This story was written by Matthew Norman, he joined the team in 2022 as a Facebook community reporter.

Matthew covers Bicester and focuses on finding stories from diverse communities.

Get in touch with him by emailing: Matthew.norman@newsquest.co.uk

Follow him on Twitter: @OxMailMattN1