CAMPAIGNERS FIGHT TO CLEAN UP RIVER

CLEAN water campaigners in Henley are urging residents to support them in taking legal action against a water company.

Friends of the Thames, led by Laura Reineke, wants to file a “statutory nuisance complaint” against Thames Water for its pollution of the River Thames.

A public meeting has been organised at the town hall on Monday at 6.15pm to encourage residents to get involved and explain how the process will work.

The group is backed by Henley river companies, including Hobbs of Henley and the Henley Boating Company and also Henley Rowing Club.

It is planning to gather evidence from residents before sending the complaint to South Oxfordshire District Council.

Under the Environmental Protection Act, local authorities have a duty to investigate complaints that could be a “statutory nuisance”.

During the meeting, residents will be given details of how to submit evidence to be compiled for the complaint. This could include photos and videos of discharges, water sampling results, health reports, smell complaints and wildlife deaths.

The group hopes to involve residents and river users, including swimmers, boaters and anglers. It’s hoped the complaint, along with the evidence, can be submitted in the autumn. If the district council upholds the complaint, it must issue an abatement notice, which would legally require Thames Water to stop polluting the river. Non-compliance can result in fines, court orders and enforcement action.

According to the Environment Agency, there were 23,061 sewage spills by Thames Water in 2024 with the average duration lasting 13 hours.

A total of 86 spills was recorded from Henley Sewage Treatment Works, near the Fawley stream, for a total duration of 950 hours.

Ms Reineke hopes that taking legal action against the water company would prompt improvements to the town’s sewage infrastructure.

She said: “By filing a statutory complaint, we’re not just making noise, we’re building a formal legal record that could lead to real consequences for Thames Water.

“The outcome we are looking for is not compensation but a gold-standard upgrade of Henley sewage treatment works, with full tertiary cleaning capability.

“Just imagine being able to use the river without fear of getting sick, this could be the move we need to see our river returned to health.”

Henley Mayor Tom Buckley said: “I want to support the action and the fact that this is a community coming together to raise its voice. I think it’s a strong reflection of how the community feels, and I hope people turn out to support Laura and the other organisations involved.”

Cllr Buckley said the issue lies not only with Thames Water but also with regulator Ofwat, the Environment Agency and the government, adding: “We have to do something about this, it’s not going to go away.”

During his term as mayor last year, Councillor Rory Hunt led the council in a vote of no confidence against Thames Water. The motion, which was passed unanimously, is thought to be the first of its kind by a town council against the water company.

Jim Sneddon, who runs Henley Boating Company based in Wargrave Road, said: “I like the idea because it raises the profile of the whole problem, which we need to do. Nothing gets done unless people know about it.”

Helen Turnell, who chairs Henley Rowing Club, said: “As users of the river every day, we are keen to support anything that improves river quality.”

In June last year, in what is believed to be the first case of its kind, campaign group Save Windermere filed a complaint against United Utilities to Westmorland and Furness Council over sewage discharges.

Thames Water said it plans to upgrade its Henley works in 2026.

The meeting will be live streamed at https://calendar.app
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