Thames Water deal with flooding near Haydon sewage works after rain

Locals living near Tadpole Lane have become familiar with the sight of Thames Water tankers in the area after experiencing several issues there in the past year. 

In August 2022, Thames Water and the Environment Agency were called to the area after fish started dying in local waterways and discovered a severe sewage leak from a burst pipe, which sparked several days of repair work. 

Read More: Sewage leak needs 20 tanker trucks for emergency repairs

Then in November of the same year, a burst sewer meant sewage flowed into a lagoon in part of Shaw Forest Park, with some of the wastewater escaping into Lydiard Brook and River Ray - this took over a week to get under control.

Read More: Swindon treatment works: Thames Water confirm sewage leak fixed

Tankers line Thamesdown Drive in November, following a sewage leak (Image: Chris Lambourne)

Now excessive rainfall to see in the new year has caused a third leak after entering sewage networks in the area on the evening of Sunday, January 1.

Councillor Steve Heyes provided an update on the work that was happening and explained why it was needed and what was being done. 

He said: "Rainfall and surface water run-off should not enter the sewage networks in significant volumes. 

"Last night one of the pumps which pump sewage water through a rising main was flooded at the Haydon End pumping station (by the Tawny Owl).

"Tankers will remain at the pumping station and on Tadpole Lane to remove the water and carry out repairs to the pump so we are sorry for any disruption this causes."

He added that work in the area had been started by Thames Water to upgrade the pumps roughly 3 weeks ago. The utility company is also route planning for a second sewage main to improve the network.

He said these upgrade works will begin imminently so "these kinds of disruptions should not happen once the work is complete".

At the time residents were alarmed to see the tankers had returned so contacted Thames Water to find out why they were back. 

In response from the company, they were told: "Our team will stay overnight near Haydon End pumping station as we have more work to do after rainwater overflowed from the sewer. We're sorry for any disruption and thank you for your patience while we put things right."

It also confirmed in a message sent prior to this that this was not a sewage leak 

"We're pleased to confirm that the overflow, which followed heavy rainfall, caused no pollution locally. We're keeping tankers in the area while we continue or work."