British Rowing and River Action warn that vile amounts of human sewage has been discharged by Thames Water along the Putney Embankment, home to over ten rowing clubs on the River Thames.
This follows news that the organisers of the Boulter’s to Bray Swim in Maidenhead have cancelled this year’s community event over concerns about the water cleanliness. And days after water-based sports across the UK united to call on the government to act to address pollution in rivers, lakes and coastal waters.
Thames RC captain Huw Jones said: “The frequency and severity of sewage discharges into the tidal Thames is increasing. On Thursday this week the visible signs of raw sewage on Putney Embankment led the club to cancel rowing sessions to safeguard athlete health. This situation is unacceptable, and we call on Thames Water to take immediate action.”
Waste water treatment plants were privatised 35 years ago, the new owners cut costs on maintenance to pay out dividends, and the current state of affairs is basically “it’s screwed”.
It’s not just water. Same with rail. Privatizations done by the previous run of Conservative governments is biting. The whole idea, of at least the way they did it, has failed.