Home / Environment / Sewage Floods Cotswolds Brook for Weeks
Sewage Floods Cotswolds Brook for Weeks
17 Mar
Summary
- Ampney St Peter plant discharged sewage for over six weeks.
- Untreated waste flowed into Ampney Brook, a River Thames tributary.
- Concerns raised over wildlife and swimmer health risks.
The Ampney St Peter sewage treatment plant released untreated sewage into Ampney Brook for more than six weeks, between January 15 and March 3, 2026. This tributary flows into the River Thames near Cirencester. While limited discharges are permitted during heavy rainfall, the prolonged release has alarmed residents.
Concerns have been raised about the potential threat to wildlife and the health of swimmers. A resident described the current system as inadequate, stating it "simply cannot cope" with the volume. Sewage Map data indicates the plant discharged for over 1,100 hours during this period alone.
A Thames Water spokesperson acknowledged that storm overflows operated due to heavy rainfall, a design intended to prevent sewage backing up into homes. However, environmental groups and locals question the adequacy of existing regulations and penalties, arguing that fines do not address infrastructure improvements. Thames Water highlighted its commitment to transparency by publishing real-time discharge data.
