Barnet homes still polluting River Brent via misconnections

Two housing developments in Barnet and two in Harrow are among those still discharging waste into surface drains due to illegal plumbing misconnections. These misconnections, which illegally pump household waste into systems meant for rainwater, have been identified as a significant cause of pollution in London's rivers, including the River Brent.

In October 2024, seven blocks of flats in north and west London were identified by Thames Water as having misconnections, affecting at least 100 homes. Since then, only three of these blocks, located in Ealing, have had their issues resolved. Work is ongoing to address the remaining properties.

New officer to tackle misconnections

To combat the problem, a dedicated officer will be hired in west London as part of a pilot project funded by the mayor of London's office. This initiative is intended to provide councils with the resources needed to enforce action against misconnections and work with property owners to resolve the issues. Mete Coban, deputy mayor of London for environment, stated that City Hall is funding this officer to address the root cause of misconnections.

Ben Morris, founder of the volunteer group Clean Up the River Brent (CURB), believes misconnections are the largest single contributor to pollution in London's rivers. He has called for stronger enforcement action from local authorities, stating they possess the power to compel property owners to rectify these illegal plumbing arrangements.

The project forms part of a broader 10-year strategy announced by the mayor of London to improve the condition of the capital's rivers and waterways. The mayor is contributing an additional £2.7 million over three years to river cleanup efforts, supplementing existing pledges from water companies, boroughs, and charities.

A spokesperson for Barnet Council said that investigations into misconnections can be complex but that the council is committed to resolving them as quickly and effectively as possible. Harrow Council did not respond to a request for comment from BBC London.

Thames Water confirmed that while they are not responsible for third-party drainage, they collaborate with partners to address this issue. They urged freeholders and developers to ensure new connections are plumbed correctly, noting that most misconnections occur accidentally, but the responsibility for fixing them lies with the property owner.

What happens next

If the pilot project proves successful, the dedicated officer role could be expanded across London. The ongoing work by Thames Water and local authorities aims to resolve the remaining misconnections in Barnet and Harrow.