112% increase in sewage dumps by Thames Water last year

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

Waltham Forest Liberal Democrats are calling for tougher action against sewage dumping in local rivers/beaches, including replacing Ofwat with a tougher regulator. The party has 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.

Liberal Democrat spokesperson for Chingford & Woodford Green, Josh Hadley said:

“It is a complete scandal that filthy sewage is being pumped into Waltham Forest’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."

"Here in Waltham Forest, 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 our local community is protected from this filth."