City News
Thames Water Faces Scrutiny Over River Pollution Levels
Rising complaints about water quality along the South Bank have prompted regulators to investigate Thames Water's management practices.
22 May 2025 at 16:34
By By Southbank Signal Editorial Team
The River Thames, long celebrated as a lifeblood of London, is facing scrutiny after a surge in pollution reports from Southbank residents and environmental groups. Floating debris, discoloured water, and foul odours have been noted more frequently along river walks near Blackfriars and Bankside.
Thames Water, the utility company responsible for maintaining sewage and water standards, has come under fire for failing to address growing environmental concerns. Local campaigners argue that routine discharges during heavy rainfall have contributed to a sharp decline in water quality.
Photographs shared online show alarming levels of plastic waste and organic material clustering near the shorelines, especially after high tides. Residents say the problem has become more noticeable in recent months, with some questioning whether recent construction projects are exacerbating the issue.
‘We see children playing by the water, people walking their dogs, tourists stopping for pictures — and all the while there’s litter and filth floating just metres away,’ said Rachel Allen, a Southbank resident and member of the Clean Thames Collective. ‘It’s not just unsightly, it’s a health risk.’
In response, Thames Water released a statement acknowledging the rise in discharge events but blamed ‘exceptional weather conditions’ and an ‘aging infrastructure’ for the spike. The company says it is investing £5 billion over the next five years to modernise sewer systems and expand capacity.
Lambeth and Southwark councils have initiated joint inspections of river-adjacent drainage sites and storm overflow outlets. Council leaders have also requested greater transparency from Thames Water, including real-time data on discharge events, to better inform the public and guide policy.
Environmental scientists at King’s College London are launching a study to assess pollutant levels along the central Thames stretch. Their findings will be shared with both the Environment Agency and local schools, many of which are involved in riverside education and clean-up efforts.
As London positions itself as a green and global city, campaigners warn that overlooking the health of its most iconic natural feature undermines those ambitions. With summer approaching and riverside activity on the rise, the call for action is growing louder each day.