Home / Environment / Brentford Canal Choked by Sewage and Dead Animals
Brentford Canal Choked by Sewage and Dead Animals
30 Sep
Summary
- Dead foxes, ducks, and a cat washed up in Brentford canal basin.
- Sewage misconnections are blamed for pollution, worsening in summer.
- Water quality concerns impact children using the canal for watersports.
Residents in Brentford are raising urgent concerns over sewage polluting local canals, with dead animals frequently washing ashore during the summer. The Brentford Community Boathouse reported finding deceased foxes, ducks, and a cat in the Brentford Lock basin. This situation was significantly worsened by the prolonged summer heat, which led to stagnant water conditions.
Charity representatives suggested that plumbing misconnections, where waste is directed into surface drains instead of sewers, are a primary cause. They emphasized that this issue needs to be addressed to ensure the canal is safe for increased usage, particularly for children participating in watersports. The water quality has become a significant concern, with tests revealing E. coli and botulism.
Local council officers are examining potential misconnections through a catchment group, and Thames Water acknowledged known issues with misconnections in the area. The Canal and River Trust stated their aim to quickly remove any deceased animals. The Environment Agency noted that the ongoing drought conditions in the region can also affect river health.
