Richmond Council faces legal action over sewage pollution claims
Two complainants allege the council failed to investigate sewage discharges into the River Thames.
Incident → evidence → outcomeTwo complainants have launched a legal challenge against Richmond Council concerning allegations of sewage pollution in the River Thames. The legal action contends that the council neglected its duty to investigate formal complaints regarding sewage discharges into the river.
Eleanor Warren, a rower, and Suzanne Cave, a resident of Taggs Island and member of Taggs Island River Watch, submitted a formal complaint to Richmond Council in December 2025. They state the council failed to investigate their concerns adequately and did not properly consider the evidence they provided. This action is supported by the environmental campaigning charity River Action.
Legal Grounds for the Challenge
A pre-action protocol letter has been sent to Richmond Council, detailing the legal basis for the proposed challenge and urging the authority to review its stance. Under section 79(1) of the Environmental Protection Act 1990, local authorities are required to take reasonably practicable steps to investigate complaints of statutory nuisance made by residents within their area.
Warren stated that rowers should not have to accept the risk of sewage pollution when using the Thames and wants Richmond Council to investigate the evidence and fulfil its legal responsibilities. Cave added that pollution threatens the river and its users, and called for the council to take their evidence seriously and investigate the alleged nuisance.
Wider Campaign Context
The complaint made to Richmond Council is one of 13 statutory nuisance complaints submitted to various councils across the Thames catchment in December 2025. These were part of River Action's 'Make a Nuisance' campaign. Other complainants include Olympic rowing champions Sir Steve Redgrave and Imogen Grant. River Action reports that nearly a year after these complaints were filed, no council has initiated a formal statutory nuisance investigation into Thames Water sewage discharges.
Erica Popplewell, River Action's head of public affairs, commented that sewage pollution should not be an unavoidable aspect of enjoying the River Thames. She asserted that river users and local communities are entitled to clean water and councils that treat their concerns with seriousness. Popplewell urged the council to "act on the evidence", stating that rivers and their users deserve better.
Richmond Council has been contacted for a response to the legal action.
Questions this report answers
01What is the legal action against Richmond Council about?
Two complainants, Eleanor Warren and Suzanne Cave, are taking legal action because they allege Richmond Council failed to properly investigate their complaints about sewage discharges into the River Thames. They believe the council has not fulfilled its legal responsibilities to investigate statutory nuisances.
02Who is supporting the complainants?
The legal action is supported by the environmental campaigning charity River Action. This complaint is part of a larger campaign by River Action involving multiple councils and other high-profile individuals concerned about sewage pollution in the Thames.
03What is the next step for Richmond Council?
A pre-action protocol letter has been sent to Richmond Council, outlining the legal challenge and asking the council to reconsider its position. The council has been contacted for a response to these allegations and the legal action.
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