River group's warning after another sewage leak (From Bucks Free Press)

River group's warning after another sewage leak

4:00pm Monday 11th February 2013 in News

AN ENVIRONMENTAL group has reminded residents to watch what they throw away after a blocked sewer led to sewage leaking into the River Chess for the second time in a week.

The River Chess Assocation said discarded fat, sanitary towels and wet wipes caused the blockage in the sewer in Hollow Way Lane, Chesham.

That build-up led to raw sewage leaking into the river between Thursday January 24 and Tuesday January 29 until the problem was corrected by Thames Water.

Another leak was reported over the same weekend, after storm overflow tanks at the Chesham Sewage Treatment Works failed to cope with excessive rainfall and water from melting snow.

In a statement the River Chess Association said: "It is timely to remind ourselves that wet wipes, sanitary towels and fats should not be disposed of through the sewage system. There are only three things to be sent down a toilet, and one of them is toilet paper. We don’t have to tell you the other two."

The Association added members are as yet uncertain if the latest leak would have an adverse impact on trout spawning in the river.

Members have also urged residents to contact the Environment Agency in the event of a sewage leak into the river. Pollution incidents should be reported to their hotline on 0800 807060, or to Thames Water on 0845 9200800.