Barnet flats keep pumping sewage into rivers as mayor funds pilot
Two blocks in the borough still discharge waste while the mayor of London has pledged £2.7 million for a three‑year dedicated officer scheme to enforce repairs.
Trust 64Craft 95Hype 30How this was reported ▾
Trust 64: includes named sources (Ben Morris, Mete Coban) and specific figures with origins, but lacks multiple independent outlets.
How well corroborated and evidenced the reporting is. Higher is better.
Critic 95: clearly explains impact, quotes stakeholders, provides figures, next steps, and stays factual throughout.
Context, balance and separation of fact from comment. Higher is better.
Hype 30: measured language with modest emphasis; headline matches article content without sensational exaggeration.
How far presentation runs ahead of substance. Lower is better.
1 source assessed · methodology
Thames Water reported that in October 2024 it identified seven blocks of flats in north and west London with sewage misconnections, meaning waste is being sent to surface drains instead of sewers. Three of those blocks have had the problem corrected, leaving four still active. Two of the remaining sites are located in the London Borough of Barnet, while the other two are in Harrow, according to Thames Water.
Mayor’s pilot to strengthen enforcement
Barnet faces higher housing targets, Green Belt development
Draft London Plan proposes significant increase in homes and building on protected land.
The mayor of London’s office has committed £2.7 million for a three‑year pilot that will place a dedicated officer within participating councils. Mete Coban, deputy mayor for environment, said the role will “beef up” councils by giving them the resources needed to enforce action against misconnections. The pilot targets areas where illegal connections are a significant source of river pollution, including the River Brent catchment.
“Misconnections are the biggest single cause of pollution in London's rivers.”
Ben Morris, founder, Clean Up the River Brent
Barnet Council responded that it is “committed to resolving them as quickly and effectively as possible”. A council spokesperson added that investigations can involve multiple owners and agencies, but the council will work with the new officer to ensure property owners correct the plumbing. Responsibility for fixing a misconnection rests with the freeholder or developer, as Thames Water explained.
Barnet Council Considers 5% Tax Hike, Fortnightly Bin Collections
A projected £200 million deficit prompts "painful" decisions, with residents invited to a Barnet Question Time event.
Next steps for affected residents
Owners of the two Barnet blocks will be served with notices requiring remedial work within a set timeframe. If they fail to comply, the council can take enforcement action, which may include fines or legal proceedings. Residents can contact Barnet Council’s housing department for updates on the enforcement schedule. The pilot officer will also liaise with landlords and water companies to monitor progress and report outcomes to the mayor’s office.
Questions this report answers
+How many flats in Barnet are still misconnected?
Two blocks of flats in the borough of Barnet remain misconnected, meaning waste from at least dozens of homes continues to flow into the River Brent and River Crane. The council is working to correct them.
+What funding has the mayor provided for the pilot scheme?
The mayor of London has allocated £2.7 million for a three‑year pilot that will fund a dedicated officer to enforce sewage misconnection repairs. The money is intended to support councils in areas with serious pollution problems.
+What will happen if the pilot is successful?
If the pilot demonstrates effective enforcement, the mayor’s office plans to expand the dedicated officer model across the capital, applying the same resources to other boroughs facing similar misconnection issues.
+What can residents do to help resolve the issue?
Residents should contact Barnet Council’s housing department for information on enforcement notices and timelines. They can also report any suspected illegal connections to the council, which will work with the new officer and Thames Water to address the problem.
Barnet Press News Desk
This article was written at the Barnet Press news desk from the reporting of the outlets listed below it. Drafting is done by a language model under human editorial supervision — there is no reporter behind this byline, and we would rather say so than invent one.
How stories are produced and scoredWho runs Barnet PressCorrections
Barnet conditions
Loading live conditions…