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Three water companies have agreed to dramatically accelerate plans to clean up the River Thames.
Anglian, Southern and Thames Water have all agreed to reduce sewage and storm water discharges affecting the river faster than previously planned.
It comes following a plea from the Port of London Authority (PLA) as part of its Clean Thames Manifesto, launched today (5 June), which calls for action 10 years ahead of government targets.
Anglian Water, operating 34 combined sewer overflows (CSOs) on the river in Essex, has agreed to investigate options to achieve a 2040 target for the Thames and other high priority rivers and streams in their operating area.
Southern Water, with 16 tidal Thames CSOs in Kent, has agreed to work towards a 2040 target.
Meanwhile, Thames Water has agreed to look at options to bring forward its discharge targets for the tidal section of the river through London. The firm said it would announce its plan at a stakeholder event at the end of 2024.
Thames Water, the PLA and the Environment Agency (EA) will also be working together to develop a plan to tackle wet wipes at problem sites in the river, with a study to understand the scale of the problem and possible solutions beginning in September.
The PLA has also called for:
- All CSOs along the Thames to be fitted with event duration monitors (EDMs) by the end of 2023
- Removal of the automatic right of property developers to connect to the sewerage network
- The inclusion of water companies as statutory consultees on planning applications
Within its manifesto, the PLA has also committed to commissioning a study on “forever” chemicals and non-soluble pharmaceuticals in the Thames, as well as updating its Thames Litter Strategy to focus on tackling the sources of litter and preventing litter from entering the Thames in the first place.
Robin Mortimer, PLA chief executive, said that tackling the “unacceptable current levels of pollution of the tidal Thames will not be easy to fix”.
He added: “We have asked the water companies to meet the targets set out in the Storm Overflows Discharge Reduction Plan on the tidal Thames at least 10 years ahead of the Defra targets.
“Much progress has been made in recent years, but with sewage pollution remaining a priority issue for the public, particularly river users, much more still needs to be done.”
He added: “We all want a river that is clean, with a healthy eco-system. That means tackling river pollution in all forms, not just sewage and plastic.
“With the support of the sector’s regulator, Ofwat, and the EA, we want the water companies to invest more in technology and innovation.
“We will also be working with farmers, landowners, local authorities and highway agencies to reduce harmful run-off from agricultural land and roads.”
The PLA has also announced that it is updating river regulations to require boat operators to stop discharges of sewage from their vessels from 2024.
“In addition, we will be expanding the PLA-led Thames Litter Forum to include a focus on all pollution and include local authorities, highway agencies, landowners, farmers, and businesses.
“We will also develop campaigns to reduce micro plastics at source, encouraging changes in consumers’ shopping habits and disposal of rubbish.”
Discharges into the River Thames are expected to dramatically reduce from 2025 when the Thames Tideway Tunnel comes into operation.
In total, the London Super Sewer is expected to slash discharges into the Thames by 95%.
Former Ofwat chair Jonson Cox – who now chairs the PLA – has long criticised the water sector for falling “woefully short” on restoring the country’s rivers to a healthy state.
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