Bloxham Brook: Council statement – March 2026

Raw Sewage in Bloxham Brook – What’s Happening and Why It Matters

Residents have understandably raised concerns with the Parish Council about the amount of sewage entering Bloxham Brook, so the Council wanted to share a clear and balanced update.

Environment Agency monitoring data shows that the Bloxham Wastewater Treatment Works discharged sewage into the Brook 71 times in 2024, totalling 1,124 hours, the equivalent of around 46 days. While Thames Water does hold an Environmental Permit that allows discharges during periods of unusually heavy rainfall, a permit doesn’t make every spill acceptable. The Environment Agency is clear that overflows must not operate in dry weather or cause harm to the watercourse.

Bloxham Brook is an important part of our village, a place for wildlife, walking and simple enjoyment, so it’s entirely natural that the community is concerned. The duration of these discharges raises fair questions about whether the system is keeping pace with demand and what the wider impacts might be.

Following the Parish Council meeting on 2 March 2026, the Council has asked the Bloxham Cherwell District Councillors to work with Thames Water and the Environment Agency to clarify what has happened, whether the discharges met the conditions of the permit, and what improvements are planned to reduce future spills. We will share updates with the village as soon as we receive them.

In the meantime, residents can play an important role. If you notice anything unusual along the Brook, such as smells, toilet paper, grey water or discolouration, please report it directly to:

Environment Agency Incident Hotline: 0800 80 70 60
Thames Water Emergency Line: 0800 316 9800

Each report helps build the evidence needed to ensure our concerns are properly addressed.

This isn’t about causing alarm; it’s about transparency, care for our environment and working together to protect a place that matters to all of us. Thank you to everyone who has already been in touch, your observations genuinely help.