A councillor was “horrified” by a “contaminated water leak” onto Watford land near the Colne.

Lib Dem Councillor Andrew Scarth says he is "appalled" by how long it has taken for inspection hatches to be bolted down on land near the Ebury Way, the River Colne, and an electricity transmission station in Silkmill Road.

The hatches were apparently “forced open by storm water”, meaning they now sometimes allow contaminated water to escape onto the surrounding land.

Watford Observer: The leak, on National Grid owned landThe leak, on National Grid owned land (Image: Google Maps)

The Three Rivers councillor for Oxhey Hall and Hayling Ward said: “It horrified me how long they have been left popped open.

“It is appalling, I was told they would bolt them down so it wouldn’t happen again but now it’s been going on for two years.”

In 2020 work was carried out to put the underground pipework, along with inspection hatches, in place.Watford Observer: Lib Dem Councillor Andrew Scarth, John SmithLib Dem Councillor Andrew Scarth, John Smith (Image: Andrew Scarth)

In June the next year, Cllr Scarth contacted Thames Water to alert them to the hatches being forced open.

“I was told this should not have happened and that Thames Water was going to bolt the hatches down to stop this happening again,” he said.

I find it amazing that Thames Water have failed to deal with this matter so near to a public footpath and the River Colne.

Watford Observer: One of the hatchesOne of the hatches (Image: Andrew Scarth)

“The contaminated water has flipped out all over the place and ends up all in the air near the river.

“It’s a health hazard, a lot of people walk that way.”

He added that after he and Bushey Cricket Club groundskeeper John Smith began chasing the utility company, 19 months on from the first report, they were told the hatches are due to be inspected on March 3.

Watford Observer: Hatches that have been forced openHatches that have been forced open (Image: Andrew Scarth)

The pair remain concerned that little will be done on that date, and it might just be the beginning of a process to gain access to the land and bolt down the hatches.

A Thames Water spokesperson said: “We are aware of reports of foul sewer overflow near the River Colne and Ebury Way in Watford.

“We are always working to improve our sewer network and a dedicated team are investigating this matter.”