Markyate Sewage Discharge for Almost 1,000 Hours

Markyate Overflow Reaches Almost 1,000 Hours of Pumping Sewage Into Chalk Stream, River Ver

Liberal Democrat Parliamentary Candidate, Victoria Collins, has been contacted by distressed residents about the overflow at Markyate which is destroying the precious River Ver, a local chalk stream, and starting to flood roads. 

The storm overflow has currently been discharging sewage into the River Ver for over 700 hours and shows no signs of stopping. There has been no ‘exceptional rainfall’ to explain this excessive overflow. 

Victoria went to River Hill to see the flooding herself which is quite clearly full of sewage and waste. She has written to MP Mike Penning demanding action from Thames Water, the Environment Agency and Ofwat. Mike Penning has voted against measures which would have helped to tackle the crisis. 

Not only is it distressing to see the impact on the river but as families often paddle in the River Ver around Waterend Lane and Redbournbury Watermill this could have a serious health impact. 

The Liberal Democrats have called for tougher against sewage dumping in local rivers including, replacing Ofwat with a tougher regulator. The party has also called for a ban on bonuses for water company bosses and for Thames Water to be reformed as a Public Benefit Company, which includes an environmentalist on the company board. 

Liberal Democrat Parliamentary Candidate for Harpenden & Berkhamsted, Victoria Collins said:

“Seeing sewage and waste flow through the River Ver and onto the road is infuriating. To think that families may paddle out in the river downstream is horrifying.” 

“Thames Water must stop this excessive overflow immediately and explain how this overflow could reach almost 1,000 hours with no ‘excessive rainfall’. There must also be clear communication to warn local people of the dangers to a nearby paddling spot while the real health impact is confirmed.”

“It’s disgraceful that Conservative MPs have consistently voted against measures which would have helped to tackle the crisis. This cannot go on.”