A crackdown on waste disposal in the sewers resulted in a Southall firm, Ivo Textiles, being prosecuted by Thames Water for breaching the conditions of its industrial waste agreement over four years. The firm, located on the International Trading Estate, was found to have disposed of items such as ammonia and heavy metals, jeopardizing the final treated effluent.
Thames Water took samples in 2021 and 2022, which confirmed that Ivo, a textiles and printing company, was committing sewer abuse. Despite efforts to encourage compliance with waste disposal rules, Ivo continued to exceed the permitted levels, leading to legal action being taken against them.
As a result, Ivo was fined over £71,000, with a significant portion allocated to cover legal costs incurred by Thames Water. Daniel Bourne, Thames Water’s trade effluent manager, emphasized the importance of controlling waste water from industrial premises to ensure the effective treatment of wastewater and the protection of the environment.
Bourne highlighted that 81% of blockages in Thames Water’s network in the year 2023/24 were caused by items in the sewer that should not have been there in the first place. He stressed the ongoing effort to identify and prevent such offenses to maintain the sewer network and safeguard the environment.
Thames Water reportedly spends £18 million per year to remove 75,000 blockages from its sewers, indicating the significant impact of improper waste disposal on the sewer system. The company aims to work collaboratively with individuals and businesses to educate them on the consequences of sewer abuse, resorting to legal action only when necessary to mitigate risks to the sewer network and the environment.
