600 million litres of sewage enters River Roding yearly

An estimated 600 million litres of sewage-contaminated water is entering the River Roding and its tributaries each year, a six-month study by environmental charities Thames21 and the River Roding Trust has found. The pollution stems from sewer misconnections and faulty drainage infrastructure, leading to the equivalent of 240 Olympic-sized swimming pools of sewage flowing into the river annually.

Cran Brook identified as major pollution source

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The monitoring of over 70 outfalls and tributaries revealed Cran Brook as the single most significant source of sewage pollution. This pollution is attributed to a combination of faulty infrastructure, widespread misconnections, and seepage from a landfill site. Sewer misconnections occur when wastewater from homes is incorrectly connected to surface water drains, according to the charities. Thames21 and the River Roding Trust are urging Redbridge Council, Thames Water, and the Environment Agency to accelerate investigations and resolve these pollution sources.

Chris Coode, CEO of Thames21, described the volume of sewage as a "shocking amount" and a "disastrous threat" to the river, wildlife, and local communities. He highlighted concern over pollution occurring during dry weather, indicating an urgent need for stakeholders to address misconnections and other pollution sources within the catchment. Paul Powlesland, founder of the River Roding Trust, stated that the River Roding is now the first river in England where all illegal sewage outfalls are located and can be scientifically ranked by harm. He called for Thames Water and the Environment Agency to urgently fix the most damaging outfalls.

Thames Water response and council investment

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A spokesperson for Thames Water indicated that the company is undertaking a surface water outfall programme. They stated that a large proportion of the area shows signs of pollution, primarily due to third-party misconnections in private households and buildings. Completing this programme across the large catchment area may take up to a year, depending on property owner access or court-granted warrants. The responsibility for misconnections lies with property owners, and Thames Water urges those fitting new connections to ensure they are plumbed correctly.

The Environment Agency confirmed it is reviewing the study's findings for potential actions. A spokesperson noted that misconnections are a major contributor to poor water quality in North London's rivers and that work has begun on a project for Cran Brook at Valentines Park in collaboration with other bodies. Redbridge Council has invested £3 million to improve water quality within the borough. Councillor Jo Blackman, cabinet member for the environment, stated that while the council is undertaking projects such as water quality testing, desilting lakes, and improving Cran Brook's filtering mechanisms, the primary pollution source requires Thames Water to increase investment in its local sewer network and monitoring.