The River Thame Conservation Trust (RTCT) is a charitable organisation whose aim is to improve biodiversity of the River Thame and its surrounding freshwaters and to improve public understanding, appreciation and enjoyment of the river catchment and its wildlife. We partner with volunteers in rural and urban areas, farmers and landowners who, together with our small expert team, monitor the river and deliver practical solutions to improve the health of the river and its wildlife. We are members of the national Rivers Trust movement and wherever possible we work with other relevant bodies. Our collaborative approach enhances our effectiveness both regionally and nationally.

The main threat to the RTCT’s ability to meet its aims is the discharge of untreated or poorly treated sewage effluent into the River Thame and its tributaries. Thames Water is the licensed water undertaker responsible for providing water and wastewater services in an area which includes the catchment of the River Thame. For many years, the poor maintenance and operation of Thames Water’s sewerage infrastructure has led to significant and prolonged pollution in the watercourses of the Thame catchment. Reports by our volunteer networks and our routine water quality monitoring programme, and Thames Water’s own event monitoring data, show that incidents such as spills and discharges of untreated or partially treated sewage from sewage treatment works occur on a regular basis. The environment is struggling to cope with the sustained damage to the health of the river, its habitat and wildlife. RTCT is urgently calling for change.

Thames Water is failing to invest sufficiently in the repair, maintenance, operation and modernisation of its wastewater infrastructure throughout the catchment. Without adequate investment in wastewater infrastructure such incidents will occur more frequently, given the residential and industrial development planned within the catchment.

The reported financial status of Thames Water as a private company exposes its well-established inability to provide the infrastructure and operational services to carry out its statutory, regulatory and environmental duties. RTCT considers that water companies must have adequate financial resources to invest in, to maintain and to operate wastewater and water infrastructure to minimise adverse impacts on the environment under both current and planned residential and industrial development.

RTCT supports initiatives to scrutinise and where necessary, challenge water company plans so the objectives for river water quality and environmental health are fully met. Water companies and regulators must be held to account for unacceptable risks that fall short of these objectives. Any solution to the financial and governance challenges faced by Thames Water should form part of a comprehensive restructuring plan that takes account of past regulatory and operational failures, as well as the challenges of further development in the catchment.

RTCT remains committed to its goal of restoring and maintaining the health of the River Thame and its catchment. RTCT will continue its work with environmental organisations, regulators and the water industry to pursue initiatives that align with this goal. As a Trust, we request that Thames Water, its shareholders, regulators and government seek urgent solutions that incorporate their responsibilities to the environment and the health and wellbeing of the public as a whole. New solutions are critical if a sustainable and resilient river catchment is to be secured for future generations.

Ben Piper

Chair

River Thame Conservation Trust

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