‘Forever chemicals’ surge during pilot of Thames Water plan to combat drought

Rocks exposed on the River Thames by Teddington Lock, London, on 8 August as drought conditions continue. Photograph: Isabel Infantes/Reuters

Levels of a toxic “forever chemical” rose to 13 times the legal limit during Thames Water pilots for a controversial multimillion pound water recycling scheme that will pump millions of litres of treated sewage into the River Thames during drought.

The data from the pilots is in stark contrast to public comments from Thames Water that their water recycling project in south-west London will not harm the riverine environment.