Thames Water allowed raw sewage to pump into the Thames in Oxfordshire for 53 days consecutively, residents of a village have claimed.
Locals in South Moreton say the sewage spilling near Mill Brook has “killed everything in the river”.
Untreated wastewater for a month-and-a-half ending on, Thames Water data shows.
The discharge began at the storm overflow at South Moreton sewage treatment works on February 6 and continued uninterrupted for 1,275 hours and 30 minutes, according to Mail Online
The high number of spills at the plant are caused by cracks and holes in pipes.
The Environment Agency has described the problem as an 'asset maintenance issue'.
This has led to overflow systems opening and pouring untreated water into the river in heavy rainfall.
Thames Water says it plans to upgrade the South Moreton sewage works in 2026.
The sewage works pumped raw sewage into the brook for 2,568 hours over 162 separate spills last year, Environment Agency data has revealed. .
Ross Van-Cronk, who lives in nearby North Moreton, walks his two dogs every day alongside the brook.
He told Mail Online: “It's killed everything in the river. There's nothing alive in it. There were big pike and otters in there.
“It's been happening every day for nine to 10 years. It's never stopped.
“My kids used to swim in it. We put a stop to that a few years ago.”
A Thames Water sign in the area urges locals: “Please report any issues - We care about the environment. So if you spot an issue at this location, please give us a call and we'll investigate it as quickly as we can.”
Local John Hart said: “This shouldn't be happening. That's what we pay them [Thames Water] for.
'It's beautiful around here. We don't want sewage being pumped in the brook.”
South Moreton has a population of around 100 and is lined with thatched cottages.
The water company's storm overflow investment plan says: “An upgrade is planned for South Moreton STW. This will improve its ability to treat the volumes of incoming sewage, reducing the need for untreated discharges in wet weather. The scheme, which is still being designed, is due to complete in 2026.
“We expect this location to meet all government targets for storm overflows by 2040 - 2045.”
A Thames Water spokesperson said: “Taking action to improve the health of rivers is a key focus for us and we want to lead the way with our transparent approach to data. We're the first company to provide live alerts for all untreated discharges throughout our region and this 'near real-time' data is available to customers as a map on our website and is also available through an open data platform for third parties, such as swimming and environmental groups, to use.
“Of course, what matters most is stopping the need for the discharges and we have published plans to upgrade over 250 of our sewage treatment works and sewers.
“An upgrade is planned for South Moreton STW. This will improve its ability to treat the volumes of incoming sewage, reducing the need for untreated discharges in wet weather. The scheme, which is still being designed, is due to complete in 2026.”
