Sewage spill wildlife concerns as water bills rise

Untreated sewage spilling into a village stream has caused a noticeable decline in wildlife, a local resident has said.

Greg Knowlson, who lives next to the treatment works at South Moreton in Oxfordshire, said he had observed the decrease in Mill Brook's trout and otter populations in recent years.

According to Thames Water data, untreated sewage has been released into the brook daily since 3 February - a total of more than 900 hours.

The company said an upgrade for the plant to reduce "untreated discharges" would be complete in 2026.

Thames Water uses rivers as an overflow for when its sewer systems are overwhelmed by rainfall or high groundwater levels.

Mr Knowlson added that his water bills were also going up by about £200 a year: "Then when you see the damage that's been done to these waterways, you're thinking: 'what on earth is going on":[]}