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River Crane and River Thames: Sewage

Asked by Munira WilsonLiberal DemocratDepartment for Environment, Food and Rural AffairsTabled Answered 19 March 2026UIN 116606

The question

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, how many sewage discharges there have been into the (a) River Thames and (b) River Crane in the last five years.

Answered by Emma Hardy

The following water companies have permitted discharges of treated final effluent into the River Thames:

  • Thames Water Utilities Ltd into the River Thames – 19
  • Southern Water Services – 2
  • Anglian Water Services – 4
  • Albion Water – 1

35 of the most polluting Combined Sewer Overflows in London have now been intercepted by the London Tideway Tunnels. These have prevented 19 million tonnes of storm sewage polluting the River Thames since they became operational in 2025.

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