Now Thames Water is ruining my local river

Just two days ago the firm was reportedly still considering a plan to pay out £2bn in dividends over the next decade, despite the threat of collapseThere’s still not much sign of sunshine, but nature hints at a change of season. Our garden is in bloom. We have a blackbird nesting in our chimney, ready to start a family. And thoughts turn to how we can enjoy Britain’s wonderful natural heritage.

I was running through our local country park yesterday when I came screeching to a halt. The river has a special area where children play in the shallows, withSchool trips visit during the week. “A great place for river dipping,” the visitor centre explains. Not any more. A picket fence has been built along the edge of the river with bright warning signs. “DANGER: Polluted water. KEEP OUT OF THE WATER. Following a category 1 pollution incident, sewage is currently being discharged into this river upstream of this location.”Yes, the very literal shitshow that is Thames Water continues its fine work.

Sixteen million households rely on Thames Water for water or sewage services. Yet the company’s ownership has left it drowning in debt while failing to invest in critical infrastructure.If Thames Water doesn’t know where so many of its sewers are, how does it plan to stop pumping crap in the wrong places?is fighting a campaign, Save Britain’s Rivers, with our sister title, New Scientist magazine. An update on that soon.

Britain’s water companies have been run into the ground. Earlier this month the Financial Times revealed that the 16 water monopolies paid out a total of £78bn in dividends in the three decades since privatisation, all while building up £64bn in borrowing.Emily Watkins

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