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Written question asked by Victoria Collins (Liberal Democrat) on Thursday, 5 June 2025, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Wednesday, 11 June 2025 (named day). It was answered by Emma Hardy (Labour) on Wednesday, 11 June 2025 on behalf of the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.

Water Treatment: River Ver

Question

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps his Department is taking to (a) ensure that planned upgrades to Markyate Sewage Treatment Works go ahead, in the context of Thames Water’s financial position and (b) to prevent further sewage discharge into the River Ver.

Answer

We expect the company to meet their statutory and regulatory obligations.

Thames Water’s current Asset Management Plan includes commitments to both maintain Markyate Wastewater Treatment Works and enhance its performance.

Capital maintenance includes a Groundwater Impacted System Management Plan to reduce infiltration, together with a Wastewater Asset Assurance Programme to avoid pollution incidents and ensure permit compliance.

Under the Water Industry National Environment Programme, Thames Water will deliver an improvement to reduce storm overflow spills at Markyate to an average of 10 spills. They must investigate whether the storm overflow at Markyate is having a local adverse ecological impact, which may drive the spill count of the delivered improvement below an average of 10 spills if it is identified as necessary.

Secondary information

Type
Written question
Reference
57821
Session
2024-26
Subjects
Sewage Repairs and maintenance Water treatment River Ver
Link
View this Written question on www.parliament.uk