Mediaeval Sewage Disposal in Thatcham

11.56.00am UTC (GMT +0000) Thu 25th Oct 2007

Partially treated sewage flushed down an open streambed through the eastern side of Thatcham is suspected of causing several cases of illness amongst local residents during the last six months. Children playing in a park alongside the stream have been put at risk.

The stream, which does not flow all through the year, originates to the North of Floral Way. After passing under the road it goes through the front gardens of four houses in Foxglove Way and then alongside a public park. Eventually it crosses the A4 and continues down to join the Kennet.

The sewage comes from a new estate built on the site of some old barns belonging to Harts Hill Farm. It is fed into a treatment plant. The outflow from this plant falls into the streambed. According to the licence granted by the Environment Agency this outflow has to meet certain quality standards.

During the summer residents in Foxglove Way began to notice foul smells coming from the streambed, and suffered from diarrhoea. They saw what appeared to be sewage particles flowing in the stream. They traced the source as being the Treatment Plant.

"This is simply outrageous," commented Liberal Democrat Parliamentary Spokesperson, David Rendel. "When I was told what was happening I found it hard to believe my ears. It is positively mediaeval to have foul-smelling sewage flowing in a stream straight past houses where people live and alongside a park where children are playing."

"I have now demanded action from the Environment Agency and from the Environmental Health Department at West Berks Council. This is clearly a very serious public health risk, and I have therefore also brought it to the attention of the Primary Care Trust."