Layla Moran demands action on sewage in Oxford rivers

Layla Moran, MP for Oxford West and Abingdon, wants better protection for Wolvercote Mill Stream and other sites in Oxford, which she says are at risk from untreated sewage discharges.

This follows recent analysis by the Liberal Democrats showing that designated bathing sites in England have suffered more than one million hours of sewage spills over the past five years.

Wolvercote Mill Stream was classified as having ‘poor’ water quality status for the fourth year in a row in 2025.

Ms Moran said: “Britain’s rivers and beaches are a national treasure – but families are now forced to check for sewage spills before letting their children swim.

“We campaigned hard in Oxford to get water bathing status for Wolvercote Mill Stream.

“This now needs to come with serious action by Thames Water and others to clean up the water and ensure it is a site which local residents can enjoy for years to come.”

Regular water testing is now underway. The data revealed 145,606 hours of sewage dumping at bathing sites in 2025 alone, with signs put up nationally at 12 out of the existing 14 bathing sites advising against swimming due to poor quality.

Wolvercote Mill Stream received a ‘poor’ water quality rating for the fourth consecutive year.

The MP said the Government must take stronger action.

She said: “I am calling on the Government to stop stalling, replace Ofwat with a regulator that has real teeth, and force water companies to clean up our bathing sites in Oxford ahead of Summer.”

The Liberal Democrats are also urging the Government to require water companies to report sewage spill volumes, not just durations, to increase transparency.