Concern as Thames Water pumps sewage into river for six weeks

Residents have spoken of their concerns after a sewage treatment plant discharged untreated waste into a brook for more than six weeks.

Between 15 January to 3 March, Ampney St Peter released sewage into the Ampney Brook, which flows into the River Thames near Cirencester.

Limited amounts of sewage are allowed to be discharged during periods of excess rain, but campaigners fear the current levels pose a threat to wildlife and swimmers’ health. Resident Julie Job added the current system “simply cannot cope”.

A Thames Water spokesperson said the system was “historically designed this way to prevent sewage backing up into people’s homes”.