Blockages caused by non-flushables, such as wet wipes, baby wipes, sanitary towels, tampons and cotton buds, cost Thames Water £1 million a month.
Alongside this, fats, oils and grease from London’s kitchens congeal in sewers and drains, contributing to blockages and fatbergs.
Over a third of London’s trunk mains network pre-dates 1930.
Currently, Thames Water are replacing 0.19 per cent of trunk mains per year - at that rate it would take over 500 years to renew the whole network.
Tomorrow, the London Assembly Environment Committee will discuss London’s water issues, including the causes and impact of sewer blockages in London, water supply and demand for the future and the need to quickly renew the trunk mains network in the capital with minimal road disruption.
The guests are:
- Richard Aylard CVO, Director of External Affairs and Sustainability, Thames Water
- Karen Gibbs, Senior Policy Manager, Consumer Council for Water
- Daniel Bicknell, Policy & Programme Officer, GLA
- Tracy Stewart, Director General, Absorbent and Hygienic Product Manufacturers Association
- Seán Kerrigan, Communications and Media Relations Executive, EDANA
- Natalie Fee, Director, City to Sea
- Edward Palin, Chair, Grease Contractors’ Association
- Timothy Mcmahon, Head of Water Networks, Thames Water
- Paul Matthews, Works Co-ordination and Permitting Area Manager, Transport for London
The meeting will take place on Wednesday, 21 February from 10:00am in The Chamber (The Queen’s Walk, London SE1).
Media and members of the public are invited to attend
The meeting can also be viewed LIVE via webcast or YouTube
Follow us and take part in the meeting discussion using #AssemblyEnv and #WaterIssues
Notes to editors
- Full agenda papers.
- Leonie Cooper AM, Chair of the Environment Committee is available for interview. See contact details below.
- London Assembly Environment Committee.
- As well as investigating issues that matter to Londoners, the London Assembly acts as a check and a balance on the Mayor.
For media enquiries, please contact Lisa Lam on 020 7983 4067. For out of hours media enquiries, call 020 7983 4000 and ask for the London Assembly duty press officer. Non-media enquiries should be directed to the Public Liaison Unit on 020 7983 4100.