Gregory Stafford MP asked the Minister for Water and Flooding in the House of Commons today about storm overflow sewage pollution in the River Wey, with particular reference to the Farnham Sewage Treatment Works (STW).
Gregory, who has previously met with the River Wey Trust and other local environmental organisations, explained recent concerns over pollution impacting the Peper Harow Park Fly Fishery, located downstream in the Godalming and Ash constituency. He asked what the Government is doing to ensure Thames Water addresses sewage discharges from the Farnham STW, and to ensure the necessary improvements are delivered as quickly as possible.
Thames Water is responsible for 97% of wastewater infrastructure in the Farnham and Bordon constituency, and strengthened powers introduced by the previous Government are compelling the company to improve its treatment processes. That action is most evident in efforts to remove phosphorus from wastewater, which is often stored in storm tanks during periods of heavy rainfall before later being treated. However, when the system becomes overwhelmed, this can result in discharges into our waterways.
Gregory has therefore pushed for phosphorus removal to be undertaken at pace, and the treatment works serving the River Wey are now receiving targeted attention.
