Noise from Thames Water generators 'like torture'

A woman recovering from cancer said noise and diesel fumes from Thames Water generators was making her life a misery.

"It's like having a diesel truck outside your bedroom window 24/7, running on idle. It's noisy, it's smelly, it's smoky, it's relentless," Rachel Freeston told the BBC.

Thames Water has apologised and said the filter units in Lambourn, Berkshire, were vital in protecting the River Lambourn from untreated sewage.

The village suffered from sewage flooding in March 2024.

"...I'm supposed to be relaxing, recovering, and it's just been nothing but stress. I can't use my garden," Ms Freeston said.

"My friend came round last year and did my garden and it was beautiful, to help me recover and relax. And it's now all dead because I can't open my windows, I can't open my doors.

"I don't want to be at home. It's got to the point where I almost look forward to going to the hospital just to get away from it.

"It's like... water torture, there's no escape, ever."

Thames Water apologised for "any disruption and inconvenience" and was in contact with Ms Freeston to "address her concerns".

"We have installed acoustic panels around the site, and we're looking at what more can be done to minimise its impact on neighbours," the company said.

"It is switched on only when groundwater levels are higher than the sewage system can accommodate.

"Our local teams have been undertaking surveys and rectifying defects in the network to reduce the need for filter units in future, and these efforts are ongoing."

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