Sewage spill on Saturday lunchtime

There were two sewage spills from a manhole in Osler Road near the junction with St Andrew’s Road on Saturday and Sunday mornings. The sewer in that part of Old Headington is a combined sewer rather than two separate systems for fresh water and for sewage.

Residents were understandably concerned, not least about the possible public health implications of sewage on the road. These are the latest in a whole series of spills from the same location over a decade. Thames Water contractors jetted it out on Sunday morning at 00.05 but it was only a short term fix and a second spillage happened on Sunday. This prompted a second visit by TW contractors at 02.30 this morning.

Ruth contacted Thames Water twice, and has also got onto Environmental Health at the City Council to see if they can exert some influence on Thames Water to dig up St Andrew’s Rd near Laurel Farm Close and put a camera down to see what is causing the blockage. Following our phone calls and emails, the Council’s Executive Director for City Services is now  in communication with his counterpart at Thames Water to try and find a longer term solution to this problem.