Lambourn Sewers – overflowing

The rain and rising of the chalk springs have combined to create a really challenging task for Thames Water as water seep into the sewers which in turn are not able to carry away the increased quantity. This is most evident in Newbury street where the sewerage water emerges from a manhole and runs along the street into the river Lambourn.

This presents a significant task for Thames Water who have engaged tankers to pump away water and reintroduce it to the sewerage system at the Bockhampton pumping station where more capacity is available to carry the water towards the treatment works at Great Shefford.

Unfortunately the quantities are so large that some diluted untreated sewage is running along the road and into the River Lambourn. Do take care when walking along Newbury Street by the fire Station where at times excrement is visible on the road surface. Coronavirus is enough of a hazard without taking the risk of picking up any other illnesses. Please also help Thames Water by not flushing wet wipes down the toilet. Unlike toilet paper wet wipes do not break down and clog the already overloaded sewers.

Thames water are doing what they can and will investigate the sewers to try and prevent groundwater entering the system, however the investigations will have to take place once the waters subside somewhat and the matter is complicated by the fact that not all parts of the system is owned by Thames water with many kilometers of pipe privately owned and ultimately connected to the Thames water systems.

Should you have any questions or wish to discuss further, please call The Thames Water 24-hour customer centre on 0800 316 9800 quoting your address and reference number BB973571.

The flow of sewage into the river Lambourn has been reported to the Environment Agency both by local residents and by Thames Water.