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London shop suffocated by toxic sewage stench
17 Oct
Summary
- A toxic sewage stench has plagued a London bike shop for months.
- Mechanics work outside as the unbearable odour forces customers out.
- Thames Water acknowledged the sewer issue but offered no fix date.
A pervasive and toxic stench, attributed to untreated sewage in Thames Water drains, has severely impacted a bicycle shop in Herne Hill, south London. The foul odour, likened to rotten eggs, cabbage, and tear gas, began in June and has caused mechanics to work outdoors and customers to be restricted from entering. Owner Tamas Polocz has lodged continuous complaints with Thames Water.
The water company recently confirmed a mains sewer beneath the shop is the source of the problem. However, no timeline has been given for repairs, leaving the 11-person staff concerned for their health and the business's viability. The smell reportedly occurs in putrid wafts multiple times daily.
Experts suggest dry weather exacerbated the issue, causing untreated sewage to build up in pipes without rainwater to flush it. This allows microbial activity to produce foul-smelling gases. The situation highlights the strain on London's Victorian-era sewage system, which is struggling to cope with current climatic conditions and increasing demand.
Thames Water stated its teams are investigating, but initial checks found no surrounding sewer blockages. They plan to install odour monitors to pinpoint the exact cause and track gas emissions in real time.
