The Toxic Thames

[@wardarcade7452]

Back in the mid 19th century, the Thames was a gigantic flowing cesspool and people got sick just having to go to Parliament to try to pass laws during the Great Stink of 1858 when they seriously thought of moving it to Oxford. Progress has been made in that it looks much cleaner but there still is FAR more progress that needs to be made!

[@AdeptHavelock]

Thanks for posting this Steve. The water company representative was surprisingly open considering your difficult questions. Clearly the whole system is broken. Keep up the good work 👍 Link to petition?

[@antlerman7644]

Glad for actually talking to the company, while being diplomatic but still asking difficult questions. I think the government should hold the companies to account, however it's clear that legislative framework needs serious reform.

[@danporter8107]

Totally agree. If the government's buddies weren't shareholders, there may be a different conversation right now.

[@newtoniansystemsltd4405]

I hope that guy keeps his job, he was very open, what a refreshing change. I hope he’s part of a new Thames Water attitude. I had no idea that sewage treatment plants did not need to remove bacteria, I’m shocked. More evidence that OFWAT are not looking after the public. As for Thames Water and the Environment Agency knowing people swim in the river and not warning them about the times of year when it is unsafe, that is a massive health and safety issue which to me appears criminally negligent. All it needs is some sign posts at river access points, that’s a disgrace.

[@CbsMousealot]

Extremely lovely guy, lives very near me. Long time family friend. Lots of people have commented that he's smirking in this but he's not, he is always ALWAYS just smiling. Very happy, smily guy. Sad people have jumped to the wrong conclusion.

[@neilhumby8803]

As a local resident Steve thank you so much for all you're doing on this. We feel so powerless and sad watching our beautiful wildlife disappear. I can recall the devastating floods of 2014 which were way worse, was this such an issue then? If not, why not? If so, why has nothing been done in a decade? During the pandemic Thames Water took a meter reading that was 1000% my normal usage, and they simply took ~£1300 out of my account. I had to phone and explain to them that this looks wrong and there must be a leak. They have no concern for preserving water much less the environment, they're entirely focused on milking more money and hold a powerful monopoly over their customers who cannot even legally withold payment to object. It's scandalous that they're allowed to operate like this.

[@ianb9103]

You have all the swimmers from The Royal Windsor Triathlon in June. All swimming in a sewer

[@rselec6908]

I work for one of the water companies as a tecnician, what the guy is saying here about treatment works being within their consent and storm outflow being a normal thing if absolutely right, but...the reason the systems havent got enough capacity is bevcause of poor investment. Where money has been spent on infrastructure projects often its been spent irresponsibly, sub contractors that charge ridiuculous amounts of money for poor quality work, often token atempts at making a treatment works more complient rather than real capacity expansion, and massive shareholder dividends and executive pay. My experience is most senior management who make the big decisions are incompetent or dont really care, they just take their wage and have an easty life. It was not like this before privatisation. Privatisation has failed, there is no doubt about it. The countries utilities will eventually need to be renationalised, the longer its left, the more it'll cost.

[@darzan12]

Spot on....if only taking back control meat more than the false brexit nonsense. We should not be paying Water rates to shareholders while our waterways are sacrificed.

[@tonyjefferys4300]

Thames Water couldn't care less, he stated that they just discharge into the thames. there is no incentive to fix the problem and planning departments do not have to provide plans to get rid of sewage from new housing developments. we have been shafted well and truly!!

[@oliviakillen]

please interview south west water as theyve said the public have no right to swim in the sea. i have to check safer seas and rivers app to.check if safe to swim in the seas at east devon

[@quibble8]

Well done Steve for thinking about locals and raising a concerning issue. Fair play to Mr Scott for honestly answering questions. However.... Thames Water and their approach are getting beyond a joke. Pumping effluent into a river just can't be acceptable

[@naturebeast7393]

As an angler and a nature lover it sickens me to hear what he just said about the Thames and it makes me think if this goes on in other rivers across the UK, I'm really glad you have recorded this to show to the public keep up the good work mate

[@darzan12]

It's all the Rivers and all the companies. Privatisation has failed and is being uncovered as the disaster it is.

[@charliehanson-u1t]

That is Terrible and very sad! Could you please put the petition in the comments section so we can sign it?

[@leocarr1551]

Cheers Steve, doing gods work

[@LSUPCo]

Great work Steve! Thames Water used to share “Rower Notification” emails these were discontinued in January 2023. 4:51

[@mkcdavies]

Well done Steve for adding to the impetus behind the fight for a clean river. The EA should be held accountable for not publishing the information needed to keep people safe.

[@joelhenderson1314]

9:00 If they don't disenfect the water what actually is the process taking place in Thames sewage plants? How many other water companies in the UK have designated 'non bathing spots' without public knowledge?

[@bencaddick6596]

Steve well done on the interview. This is really shocking and worrying.

[@originalpickaxe]

In other words business as usual. Thames Water has spent years lining the pockets of its Directors and Shareholders at the expense of the nations health. This is the reality of all privatised big business , Thankyou for your legacy Mrs Thatcher.

[@samanthagray7510]

Thank you Steve for highlighting this, as a Marlow resident who lives with the threat of raw sewage coming up into my garden and house frequently this is terrifying. What are Thames water actually doing with our money because they are not fixing anything and we have the huge water tanker lorries constantly on our road daily and I thought they were trying to sort out the issues we are experiencing but now after hearing this makes me wonder. I also was thinking of doing open water swimming as i used to swim in the river all the time as a child, I’ve definitely have changed my mind. Keep the pressure up Steve someone has to stand up to Thames water and make them accountable for their actions and storm dumps and stop them hiding behind permits.

[@gillunderwood4649]

Hi Steve, Thanks so much for posting. Bravo for highlighting the lack of information released to the public by Thames Water on how safe our public waterways are. It’s shocking information to say the least, that we must consider rivers open sewers, not to mention beaches. Please put a link to your petition. Thank you again.

[@sarahseath9983]

Thank you so much for your effort with this on behalf of us all. I can't believe i was swimming in it!!

[@jessiloftus4158]

Thank you for campaigning and exposing this disgraceful situation- it's a national disgrace 😔

[@cheekymonkey530]

As someone that used to work on the river instructing groups, I find this shocking. I understand that billions are required for investment to update infrastructure, but like you said Steve, the bare minimum is a communication system which would cost next to nothing. It's been going on for 50 years, but that doesn't mean it was ok. Time to start clearing up the water system. Thank you Steve for using your voice to raise this issue.

[@imnottellingyoumyname3050]

"Don't you think what your company is doing to the Thames is awful?" "We're allowed to" These are the consequences of privatising national services. Profits will be passed to shareholders. Upgrades won't happen until we accept losses are passed to the taxpayer. The average person needs a sewage system, and a private company knows they just need to wait it out until the common person caves and pays for the infrastructure they need. Not sure how anyone can come to any other conclusion.

[@OLAFTHEGREAT705]

Love you Steve honestly awful 😞 If I’m going to be honest I would have loved to swim in the Thames but hearing this I feel so awful for you. My question is: does that mean that you physically can rework or take a dip in the Thames

[@quibble8]

Can you put a link to the petition? Will happily sign and repost

[@JP-mu5ic]

Steve, thank you so much for your work, I appreciate you have an enormous battle ahead trying to penetrate the “authorities”. In those down moments that you will have, take inspiration from Alan Bates vs the Post Office and his endurance in fighting the closed ranks of incompetent power. Fight the Good Fight!

[@annettejohnson1362]

This is disgusting, and it's happening all over Britain . I've recently stopped paying my sewage bill until I get truthful information on what's happening to my sewage. I'm not refusing to pay, but I will not pay for my sewage to be put into rivers, lakes, and seas to poison us and our wildlife! Please can you add the petition on here so I can sign it.

[@sorrowinchrist3387]

“Thousands of litres of sewage were dumped for 16-plus hours into the river, as well as a large amount of hazardous contamination in nearby streams and lakes.

[@getheroutofthetruck]

Well done Steve. The Great Water Swindle.

[@AmyBrook-hj5zt]

Just unbelievable. So sad. I wish there was something that we could do to stop this!

[@riverwitch1990]

"This isn't new, it has been happening for the last 50 or 60 years"... why? Why hasn't the infrastructure been changed, adapted, invested in? Why isn't the effluent disinfected? UV technology? Absolutely mindblowing. Nice to know my boat home is floating in an open sewer which they seem to be fine with. And of course, plenty of talk of human residents and swimmers like us, but the elephant in the room seems to be the wild residents of the river which I suppose are just expected to swim about in shit and pathogens and poison as if that's normal? I'd really like some hope for the river right now!

[@pauljoyce1836]

Steve, thank you for all the hard work you've done so far, in terms of mountains of 💩 to climb to get something done, it looks like you are barely wading through the stream to even reach Basecamp. So much effort to get to this stage, let's keep the momentum going, the petition launched and get these agencies to be held accountable.

[@Nicholas_Tyler]

It is despicable what the water companies are doing, they even try to cover it up .

[@1Downsy]

This information IS in the public eye, it is available on the Thames Water website. Congratulations to Andrew for giving an honest answer. Shame on Steve for appalling " hijacking" and illuminating the complete picture and the problems faced by all water companies. Ofwat where are you!

[@nicoladolby2154]

Steve might I just add something about text messaging. When my local water company, Northumbria Water, has any issues or is doing any work in an area, they immediately text all residents affected. So if anyone tries to say they’re not sure it can be done by Thames Water, it can. Trust me.

[@willsanimalfactsig5750]

Great video, I was just wondering where to find the petition?

[@gigabane7357]

I am actually watching this right now as of this comment because my Bristol water tastes wrong. I did all the usual swilling the kettle and such and it remains and when I let my black coffee settle, you can clearly see an 'oil patch' I suspect Iron bacteria is in my pipes right now.

[@sandler20uk]

This has blown my mind. Whilst I'm not under "Thames water" I know this is affecting all water areas (I'm with southern water). I can't find the link for the petition though? Could you share it please?

[@alastairwatts5957]

Can anyone share the link to the petition or know where to find it?

[@RichardBaileyBergman]

Thank you so much for doing this.

[@mariabutler9736]

Hi Steve, can you put a link on for the petition, please, so we can sign Thankyou Maria

[@_Tp___]

Welcome to privatisation of an industry that is inherently a monopoly! Can say I'll be swimming in the Thames again, these private water companies really are taking the mick with saying they'd need to increase prices of bills to fund improvements yet siphoning off money to shareholders. It shouldn't be optional to improve infrastructure to not pollute the environment and if they "can't" fund it now then they should run at a loss until they do.

[@lb282012]

Good job Stevie B! It's clear that Thames Water has no real concerns or incentives regarding the environment, wildlife or public health and safety. They need to take off their blinkers and see the bigger picture of their actions. This guy's awkward pauses, sheepish smirking and question-dodging speak volumes... disgusting 🤮💰

[@Nrs.72]

Would you be so kind and consider taking some water samples from Eton wicks round moor ditch we need your help. On the common cattle, swans, all manner of wildlife that has gone silent after 113 hours of continuous discharge from slough treatment facility.

[@vickyredfern1800]

Well done SB!

[@darzan12]

So we can see and hear that ots about investment. Thames Water is owned by a consortium who are taking money out of Thames Water customers while allowing effluent to pour into the Rivers. It's not just Thames Water either, it's all the Water Companies. We are effectively paying to have our water polluted. At least Andrew was honest.

[@benhowlett7693]

Like my dad says in his life time he has seen like river don get cleaned up from an industrial dump and now it’s going back to being a dump again! Every river in country must be same. Sad it is.

[@jessrobbings1378]

I’m with you Steve!

[@cal5566]

Almost every industry operates like this, the issue as you point out is that, like everything in our 'democracy', we were never asked. Our 'representatives' are corrupt to the point where an interview like this can take place admitting to polluting, as well as creating a biological hazard for people and it's business as usual. Profits over people ever single time. I'm glad the person you interviewed was honest which is difficult when walking on egg shells, hope Thames water doesn't take issue with him for simply stating what's going on.

[@insidiousinflation8605]

This has been an issue since victorian times and no amount of investment will stop spills from going to river. It would bankrupt the country to treat wastewater to the same standard as drinking water. Customer arent willing to pay for it. The water industry is only part of the biological load of rivers it needs to be a multi agency approach to fix this including customers.

[@TheWeeklyFreestyle]

Nice one Steve

[@ibhirst]

Time to invest to safeguard public health. One can only presume that knowingly putting public health at risk should be a criminal offence...surely.

[@duracell1357]

Where can we find the petition?

[@ceriway380]

Weres all the biult in Technology that I understood was put in to kill the Bacteria 15 years + ago. Private Industrys don't work , even if they had reed beds, to help filler it out a bit , thank you Steve.keep up the good work.

[@RichardBaileyBergman]

Can you please post the petition link in the description?

[@LaurenceP1959]

Can we have a link to the petition, please?

[@kilepreston7099]

❤ what your doing steve ...god bless you

[@leighdurrant9116]

Great work 👏

[@kilepreston7099]

Compliant with who ..corporate entities push rules especially since the "emergency situation(cov 19)" governments allow changes to unchecked untested ...and dont bother changing back to a high standard

[@SequellaPhotography]

What is the link to the petition?

[@edbrown8260]

Backshall for prime minister

[@alexleeman8277]

What the hell are we doing to our food??

[@sarahwebb6286]

You are a celebrity and have a platform. Use it to spearhead a protest.

[@brettfaulknerbf]

Just stumbling on his words and not really answering questions directly. I know they can release semi treated sewage water when we have heavy downpoor's of rain what really they should be only allowed to release water that's coming from the storm drains and not the sewage unfortunately since Maggie Thatcher sold off all the companies like British water and steel and BT and so on i do believe that British water is owed by a French company now and i don't think they could two hoots about our river system's and the wildlife it kinda boils my piss as it's just all about profit and big bonuses. Steve I'm pretty sure your quite aware of The Forest Of Dean in Gloucestershire as the exact same thing is happening to the river Wye and the river Wye was a well known place for fly fishing especially unfortunately over the last few decades the river wildlife and wildlife in general has nearly vanished now and even when the rivers are low and their isn't any rain full they still release their toxic waste water into our river system's i would love to see you do a TV show about it and come visit the Forest Of Dean and if you was lucky enough i could take you to a place where I've been watching Peregrine Falcons nest for the last 30 odd years and even seen them raise 5 chicks and when i was lucky enuff to work at Newent National bird's of prey center i told Jemima Parry Jones about them and she didn't believe it saying it most likely birds of prey Kestrel's as it's unheard of Peregrines raising 5 chicks what all fledged the nest i am happy to say but yes Jemima was quite sure i was wrong until i told her i I've a photo of the five chicks and both adult birds all at the nest site she was absolutely blown away when i took the photo of the 7 birds all at the nest site they have always done well their but should imagine it's different birds now and I'm also pleased to say they are now also being tagged as before they wasn't and it took me a lot of phone calls as going back 15 years the police didn't seem to take steeling eggs or birds seriously and few year's back they had filmed someone trying to interfere with the nest lucky they couldn't get to it thank God and I've always said if i ever caught anyone messing around with them then i would just cut the rope Ps if you ever come down this way and would like to see the pic of a very rare photo of 7 Peregrines Falcons at the nest site i would love to show you it keep up the great work Steve your awesome Kind Regards Brett Faulkner

[@nellyb.9340]

# we want our waters Nationalised

[@recall2880]

Steve come on you can afford a wireless mic 😂

[@linoleumbonypart385]

I wouldn’t swim in the Thames or any river in the uk

[@weAreNotAloneHere]

It’s hard

[@lizzybryant]

What does Steve think of this tomahawk threat from Moscow the nuclear Armageddon targeting americans.i like the American river cosumnes smith lots of nice NorCal rivers here

[@antlerman7644]

You should probably see a psychiatrist lass...

[@lizzybryant]

@@antlerman7644 well I'm a lifeguard too and majored in water treatment and rescue too to no avail bathing in sewage it don't take a shrink or drug dealer to cure us of swimming

[@annaw3280]

I wonder what he finds so funny

[@bbag550]

Worse than India now

[@recall2880]

360p and a mic on a cable! Steve come on

[@SomeBizarretaSomeBizzareLabel0]

Steve little film may like. Water Fall kzbin.info/www/bejne/fZTKc5SFoLh3obsfeature=shared