Sewage is discharged into rivers across the UK on a regular basis, including right here in Reading.

Paddlers should avoid entering the water immediately downstream from discharges and overflows.

The latest data (2021) compiled by the Rivers Trust shows the locations of sewer storm overflows that present a risk.

Sewer storm overflows are designed to relieve the pressure on the combined rainfall and sewerage network during heavy rainfall, preventing flooding of streets and houses.

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SSOs discharge the excess rainwater mixed with raw sewage straight in to rivers or sea, bypassing the wastewater treatment process temporarily.

A Thames Water spokesperson said: “Our aim will always be to try and do the right thing for our rivers and for the communities who love and value them.

“We regard all discharges of untreated sewage as unacceptable and will work with the government, Ofwat and the Environment Agency to accelerate work to stop them being necessary and are determined to be transparent.

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“We recently launched our river health commitments which includes a 50 per cent reduction in the total annual duration of spills across London and the Thames Valley by 2030, and within that an 80 per cent reduction in sensitive catchments.

“We have started the £100 million upgrade of our Mogden sewage treatment works and are currently increasing sewage treatment capacity at a number of our other sewage works across the Thames Valley, including Witney and Fairford to completed by 2025. We have a long way to go – and we certainly can’t do it on our own – but the ambition is clear.”

Reading Sewage Treatment Works

In 2021, this sewer storm overflow spilled 6 times for a total of 50 hours, discharging into Foudry Brook.

Burghfield Wastewater Treatment Works

In 2021, this sewer storm overflow spilled 118 times for a total of 2397 hours, discharging into Clay Hill Brook.

Beenham Wastewater Treatment Works

In 2021, this sewer storm overflow at Keales Copse spilled 30 times for a total of 188 hours, discharging into the Webbs Lane Stream.

Chapel Row Wastewater Treatment Works

In 2021, this sewer storm overflow spilled 57 times for a total of 1001 hours, discharging into the Tributary Oof the River Bourne.

Sonning Common Wastewater Works

In 2021, this sewer storm overflow spilled 2 times for a total of 4 hours, discharging onto nearby land.

Pangbourne Wastewater Treatment Works

In 2021, this sewer storm overflow spilled 15 times for a total of 332 hours, discharging into the River Sul.

Bucklebury

In 2021, this sewer storm overflow spilled 63 times for a total of 395 hours, discharging into the Briff Lane Stream.

Aldermaston Wastewater Treatment Works

In 2021, this sewer storm overflow spilled 87 times for a total of 577 hours, discharging into the groundwater.

Newbury 

In 2021, this sewer storm overflow spilled 25 times for a total of 251 hours, discharging into the Kennet.

Wargrave Wastewater Treatment Works

In 2021, This sewer storm overflow spilled 15 times for a total of 108 hours, discharging into the River Loddon.