Thames Water says that protecting the environment is "fundamental" to the company's ethos after it came under fire for the damage caused by a broken sewage pipe.

The water company confirmed that the sewer pipe near Haydon End has now been fixed following repair efforts since Friday requiring around 20 tanker trucks.

More than a thousand fish have died since wastewater flowed into the River Ray over the weekend.

Thames Water revealed it has been removing its trucks from the area, including Thamesdown Drive and behind The Tawny Owl pub, but will stick around to restore the areas affected.

There were at least 20 tanker trucks at these locations from leading wastewater utility solutions provider Lanes Group yesterday morning but these have since been removed.

Ward councillor Vinay Manro said this morning: "There continues to be a hive of activity with Thames Water, the Environment Agency and their contractors along a 5-6 mile stretch of the River Ray.

"The clean-up of dead fish and other wildlife has begun, with closer monitoring of the water quality."

An air compressor was pumping oxygen into the River Ray at Mouldon Hill Country Park today in an effort to break down the sewage waste yesterday.

Swindon Advertiser:

A Thames Water spokesperson said: "Protecting the environment is fundamental to what we do and we are sad to say the pollution caused by a burst pipe near Haydon End sewer pumping station has caused the death of fish in the River Ray.

"We are working with the Environment Agency to make sure the river returns back to normal as soon as we can."

The incident has sparked outrage in the community and with campaign groups.

Swindon Advertiser: Air compressor at Mouldon HillAir compressor at Mouldon Hill

The pollution from the burst pipe reached the junction between the River Ray and the River Thames.

 

But, according to Thames Water's environmental scientists, there is "no evidence" of any environmental damage to the River Thames.

"We have put aeration cannons into the water to reduce any impact of the pollution.

Swindon Advertiser:

"Our environmental scientists have been carrying out further tests from the River Thames back to the source of the pollution so they can see how the river is recovering.”

A foul sewer carries used wastewater to a plant for treatment.

It comes after South Marston Parish Council warned locals to stay away from Quarry Brook because it was accidentally polluted by a sewae leak.

Thames Water and the Environment Agency were called to investigate after fish started dying.