An Oxfordshire MP says Thames Water’s 'gross incompetence' threatens Wolvercote Mill Stream’s bathing water status.

Latest statistics reveal that since its designation of bathing status in April 2022, Wolvercote Mill Stream’s water quality has been rated ‘poor’ each year.

The stream in Oxford has been classified as 'poor' overall as it had high levels of E.coli and intestinal enterococci on occasions in summer 2022 and 2023.

Therefore, it nears losing its bathing water status which occurs after five years of ‘poor’ classifications. 

According to Layla Moran, MP for Oxford West and Abingdon, this announcement is "hardly surprising" given that Thames Water has "continued to pump sewage into lakes and rivers".

READ MORE: Oxfordshire bathing sites get mixed quality results for 2024

Thames Water says it had been carrying out "extensive investigations", alongside work by the Environment Agency, to "better understand the causes of the elevated bacteria".

Speaking after the announcement, Ms Moran said: “In 2022, our local community came together and fought so hard for Wolvercote Mill Stream to become an area with designated bathing water status.

Wolvercote Mill Stream (Image: Dave Gasca) "It is shameful this is now at risk thanks to Thames Water's gross incompetence.

“We are seeing systemic failings across the board at Thames Water, and the poor water quality at Wolvercote Mill Stream demonstrates the company simply has not taken the action necessary to clean up its act. 

“The current system is broken.

READ MORE: Wendlebury pub hit with £4k losses due to flooding

"That’s why the Liberal Democrats want to completely reform how water companies are run by transforming them into Public Benefit companies.

"If we care about protecting our local environment it's clear we need to take urgent action, before it's too late."

A spokesperson for Thames Water said: “The Environment Agency results for this season have been consistently within ‘Good’ or ‘Sufficient’ thresholds, however the bathing water classification system is based on a four-year rolling data set which has resulted in the ‘Poor’ status again this year.

"Pollutants, animal faeces from livestock and wildlife, along with run off from farms and roads can also contribute to hazards found in watercourses.

“In our business plan for 2025 – 2030 we have identified where we anticipate the need to invest in UV disinfection at three treatment works upstream of Wolvercote Mill Stream, and provisioned for further investment to reduce storm overflows at Cassington STW as we continue to invest in further improving river water quality in the area.”

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