Daisy Cooper, MP for St Albans, and Victoria Collins, MP for Harpenden & Berkhamsted, have continued their campaign to protect the River Ver from sewage dumping by writing to the Chief Executive of the Environment Agency, Philip Duffy, calling for urgent improvements at the Markyate Wastewater Treatment Works and for Thames Water to be held to account for continued sewage discharges.
The letter reads as follows:
Dear Philip,
Re: Investigation into Markyate Wastewater Treatment Works
We are writing to express our deep concern regarding the ongoing sewage discharges from Thames Water’s Markyate Wastewater Treatment Works into the River Ver, which have been continuous since December 2024. This situation has already resulted in over 2500 hours of raw sewage being discharged into this precious waterway. As we write, this pollution is still ongoing, with no sign of it stopping.
The River Ver is one of only 200 chalk streams in the world. These streams are vital to our local environment, wildlife, and communities. The ongoing sewage discharges are catastrophic for its ecology, with rising phosphate levels, oxygen depletion from algae, and other severe damage reported by volunteers from the Ver Valley Society, who have been closely monitoring the river’s health.
As MPs for Harpenden and Berkhamsted and St Albans, we have – quite rightly – received numerous concerns from our constituents about the ongoing pollution and its potential health impacts. The situation is increasingly alarming, and urgent action is needed. We are calling on the Environment Agency to take the following immediate actions:
- Urgent Enforcement Action: Immediate enforcement action is needed against Thames Water for the ongoing breaches of environmental permits at Markyate Wastewater Treatment Works. The continuous discharges, despite previous warnings and enforcement actions, clearly indicate a systemic failure by Thames Water to rectify these issues. It is essential that Thames Water is held accountable for these breaches and the ongoing harm to the River Ver.
- Thorough Investigation into Groundwater Infiltration: Given the significant issues with groundwater infiltration at Markyate Sewage Works, we urge you to ensure that Thames Water conducts a thorough investigation into this issue, as was previously recommended. Understanding the full scope of this problem is critical for preventing further contamination and improving the wastewater treatment process.
- Regular and Transparent Updates: Our constituents deserve to be kept informed about the steps being taken to address this crisis. Transparency will help rebuild trust that the matter is being tackled effectively and responsibly.
- Support for Independent Monitoring of the River Ver: Groups like the Ver Valley Society and their volunteers have been crucial in tracking and documenting the ongoing damage to the river, and their efforts help build the evidence base needed for further action. The data they are collecting, including silt and water samples, is essential for understanding the full extent of the environmental damage.
- Immediate Action to Prevent Further Discharges: Finally, we urge you to press Thames Water to take immediate, effective action to halt the continuous discharge of raw sewage into the River Ver. The sewage discharges have persisted even during dry weather, which suggests that the issue is not solely due to rainfall-related flooding. It is critical that Thames Water addresses the underlying causes of these discharges and implements measures to stop the flow of raw sewage into the river immediately.
The situation is untenable and must be addressed without delay. As Liberal Democrats, we are committed to holding corporations like Thames Water to the highest environmental standards, ensuring our natural resources are protected for future generations. The River Ver and its surrounding environment must be safeguarded from further harm, and we trust that the Environment Agency will act with the urgency and accountability that this issue demands.
We look forward to your response and to hearing what actions the Environment Agency will take to address this ongoing crisis.
Yours sincerely,
Victoria Collins MP
Daisy Cooper MP
