Written question asked by Lord Campbell-Savours (Labour), in the House of Lords. It was answered by Lord Davies of Oldham (Labour) on Thursday, 5 November 2009.

Thames Barrier: Sewage

Question: To ask Her Majesty's Government what arrangements exist for notification of spills usage of combined sewage overflow pipes on the Thames between Windsor and the Thames Barrier.

Answer: Thames Water notifies the Environment Agency when the three largest sewage pumping stations at Hammersmith, Western (Victoria) and Lots Road (Chelsea) discharge into the Thames. These are the only overflows that discharge directly into the River Thames which are reported to the Environment Agency. The large discharges from Abbey Mills pumping station overflow at West Ham, made into the Channelsea River, which in turn leads to the River Lea, are also reported as it is close to the Thames. The Environment Agency is also notified of storm discharges from the Mogden sewage treatment plant in Isleworth.

Secondary information