River Chess Association

A member of the RCA attends the sewage leak whilst an Environment Agency officer takes samples

This is an update on the blocked sewer in Holloway Lane, Chesham, which had caused untreated sewage to flow into the River Chess along Holloway Lane from Thursday 24th January until 29th January and again from the 1st February to 4th February. Thames Water attended this incident on the 24th and 29th January and the 1st and 4th February. Finally, on the 4th February the blockage, including eight drainage rods, cooking fats, wet wipes and sanitary towels, was removed from a 200m stretch of sewer pipe. We hope this has now solved the problem.

There are a number of unanswered questions relating to this sewage leak. Three issues have been raised with Thames Water: why did it take four visits to the blocked sewer over a 12 day period before it was finally resolved, secondly how did eight drainage rods find their way into the sewer and thirdly, why did Thames not report the pollution to the Environment Agency immediately? The sewage entered the Chess at a particularly sensitive stretch that is used by spawning fish.

We will be meeting with Thames Water to discuss this and a number of other issues connected with the Chesham Sewage Treatment Works (STW).

Again, we are reminded that wet wipes, cotton buds, sanitary towels and fats should not be disposed of through the sewage system. There are only three things to be sent down a toilet, and one of them is toilet paper. We don't have to tell you the other two.

This was a separate and unconnected incident from the discharge from the Chesham STW on Sunday 27th January, but both the sewer and the STW are operated by Thames Water.

All pollution incidents should be first reported to the Environment Agency hotline on 0800 80 70 60. In the case of sewer leaks in our area, also contaxt Thames Water on 0845 9200 800.

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