Marlow: Steve Backshall slams Thames Water over sewage leak

Steve Backshall, a BBC presenter who lives near Maidenhead with his family, said he noticed a "fetid stench of sewage" along a stretch of the River Thames near Marlow whilst observing wildlife last week.

The 50-year-old, who has hosted programmes including Deadly 60, Deadly Predators and Expedition with Steve Backshall, shared a video on X last Wednesday (November 29) showing the Thames near Marlow, shrouded in mist in the morning light, and night camera footage of two otters entering the water from a raised platform on the previous evening.

While the short clip seemed innocuous enough at first glance, Steve revealed in the caption that he had become aware of a "fetid stench of sewage" from his position on the riverbank, despite no heavy rains and no reports of a discharge from the Little Marlow Sewage Treatment Works.

READ MORE: Beloved local bakery resubmits plans for new development after going on the market

No wild swimmers were braving the water when Steve visited the river on Wednesday morning, but the well-known naturalist reiterated an appeal he had previously voiced for more action to protect the animals with homes along the stretch, stating that "the (local) wildlife deserves better".

Thames Water launched an EDM map to theoretically monitor sewage overflows into waterways around the UK at the beginning of the year.

However, a disclaimer issued by the company admits that the data received from EDM monitors is not always accurate as it is only able to indicate, rather than confirm discharges.

Earlier this year, Thames Water's interim co-chief executives Cathryn Ross and Alastair Cochran said the provider had faced an "extremely challenging year" with unprecedented pressure from weather events and economic factors.

Ross and Cochran have also launched a review of Thames Water's Turnaround Plan to improve performance over the next three years.