THAMES WATER MUST BE HELD TO ACCOUNT OVER RAW SEWAGE SPILL - KRAMER

11.00.26am BST (GMT +0100) Mon 6th Jul 2009

Thames Water today admitted that it was responsible for the discharge of 20,000 tonnes of raw sewage into the Thames at the weekend.

The sewage was discharged into the river from the Mogden Sewage Works in Isleworth, and has affected the river in the Kew and Brentford area, killing hundreds of fish.

Susan Kramer, MP for Richmond Park and North Kingston, whose constituency borders the affected area of the river, said:

"This situation must be treated as a health emergency. People regularly swim and boat on this stretch of the river, and to have a sewage spill on this scale is disastrous.

"The spillage has already had a devastating effect on fish populations in the river, and the smell is very unpleasant for local residents and river users.

"Water bills are sufficiently high to allow Thames Water to put in place proper plans to prevent this kind of spillage.

"I am meeting with the Chief Executive of Thames Water this afternoon and will be demanding answers about how this was allowed to happen."