Campaigners call for action after giant 'fatberg' is discovered in Gloucestershire river

  • Report by Ken Goodwin


A clean rivers campaigner has discovered what looks like a giant fatberg in the River Coln at Fairford in Gloucestershire.

It was hanging from an unidentified pipe next to a sewage outlet, which it is claimed has been dumping untreated effluent into the waterway during heavy rain. Thames Water says it is investigating the pollution.

Ashley Smith monitors a sewage outlet pipe in the River Coln, which he says is polluting its pristine waters. Credit: ITV West Country

The River Coln takes its water from the limestone uplands of the Cotswolds and the stream should be sparkling and clear but - by the sewage outlet pipe - it is anything but.

The pipe comes from the nearby sewage works at Fairford. The water is supposed to be treated but heavy rain turns the clear waters of the River Coln grey, and carries with it particles of foul-smelling effluent and bits of debris which look like toilet paper.

Unidentified material from untreated sewage released into the River Coln. Credit: ITV West Country

Ashley Smith of Windrush Against Sewage Pollution has been monitoring the water pipe and what it is releasing into the river.

Ashley has discovered a second pipe beside the outlet, with what looked like a giant fatberg hanging from it. 

He said: "I thought it was a fatberg. It was certainly stuck together, and Thames Water has been and taken it off."


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In a statement, Thames Water says following reports of pollution from the sewage works, it inspected the two pipes.

It said: "One is connected to the sewage works and its role includes allowing treated wastewater to return to the environment.

"We found the second, the pipe in question here, is not shown on our maps as being the responsibility of Thames Water.

The pipe on the left with the 'fatberg' is unidentified, while the one on the right comes from the sewage works in Fairford. Credit: ITV West Country

"We need to understand where this pollution has come from and have reported this to the local authority and the Environment Agency."

The agency added it has removed the build-up, which appeared to be mostly limescale.

Thames Water said the Fairford sewage works will undergo improvement in the next five years.


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