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The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
Environment
Sandra Laville Environment correspondent

Thames Water dumped raw sewage into rivers 5,028 times in 2021

Polluted river in Buckinghamshire
102 sewage treatment works discharged into the rivers across the upper Thames in 2021. Photograph: Maureen McLean/Rex/Shutterstock

Thames Water dumped untreated effluent for more than 68,000 hours into the river systems around Oxford last year, campaigners have revealed, arguing that the sum of money the company plans to spend to improve the situation is woefully inadequate.

The company discharged raw sewage into the River Thames and its tributaries including the River Windrush, Thame, Evenlode and Ock 5,028 times in 2021, according to data analysed by the Oxford Rivers Improvement Campaign (ORIC).

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