Thames Water Accepts Liability for Sewer Stench in London
Thames Water accepted liability for a toxic sewer stench affecting a south London bike shop but has not provided a date for repairs.
A mains sewer beneath Bicycle Nation, a bike shop in Herne Hill, south London, has emitted a toxic stench since June. The odor, described by staff as smelling of cabbage, teargas, and sewage, has forced mechanics to work on the pavement and led to some customers being barred from the premises.
Tamas Polocz, the owner of the shop, reports that the gas causes physical illness, including vomiting, and has created unsustainable working conditions. He describes the smell as having a strong physical presence that lingers on skin and hair long after leaving the shop.
Thames Water has accepted liability for the issue, confirming the mains sewer beneath the shop is to blame. However, the company has not provided a date for the necessary repairs. While initial investigations found no blockages, the utility company plans to install odor monitors to track the gases in real time. Experts attribute the problem to a combination of low rainfall and an outdated Victorian sewage system unable to handle current climate conditions.
