A vicar from Shropshire, Paul Cawthorne, has expressed concern that raw sewage from a manhole during floods could be reaching the River Roden. He observed macerated toilet paper and wet wipes near the manhole, which is not monitored by Severn Trent Water as part of its storm overflow network.
Severn Trent Water attributed the flooding to local blockages caused by flushed wet wipes and nappies, but insisted the sewage had not reached the river. However, Cawthorne remains worried about waste from nearby housing estates polluting the river during heavy rain. He said, “What concerns me is that this sewage is not being monitored by Severn Trent.”
Severn Trent confirmed the flooding was caused by blockages and heavy rainfall, but added the area had flooded only once in the past year. However, Shawbury Parish Council chairman Paul Sharpe noted that the river had flooded six times in the last year, including twice in the past month.
With water bills set to rise to fund improvements, Cawthorne voiced frustration, believing earlier investments could have prevented the issue. Severn Trent is investing £1.7 billion over five years to reduce storm overflow spills, with £140 million allocated for Shropshire. But Cawthorne fears infrastructure may not keep pace with growing housing developments, leading to more overflows in the future.
Related topics: