A water treatment centre in Gerrards Cross continuously discharged sewage and storm detritus into a river that runs through two of The Chalfonts villages for more than a week.
According to a live map of storm discharges operated by water suppliers Thames Water, there was a discharge at the storm overflow located at the company’s Gerrards Cross facility that lasted from 8.30am on Thursday, December 7, until at least 2.23pm on Friday, December 15.
This means that sewage was emitted from the overflow into the River Misbourne for at least 197 hours and 53 minutes – more than eight days.
The river flows up from Gerrards Cross and into Old Amersham, Chalfont St Peter and Chalfont St Giles, as well as Little Missenden. It also connects with the nearby River Colne.
Thames Water have stated on their website that they are planning upgrades to the Gerrards Cross site to improve its ability to treat larger amounts of incoming sewage, meaning there will be less untreated discharges in wet weather.
This work is set to be complete by 2026.
Thames Water has been contacted for comment.
You can view the sewage discharge map here.
Photo credit: Timo Newton-Syms
0 Comments