Sewage leak leads to warning to avoid water in London parks

People are being warned to stay away from a brook which runs through several south-west London green spaces after a sewage leak.

In a post on X, Wimbledon and Putney Commons said “sewage has entered Beverley Brook on Wimbledon Common”.

It added Richmond Park and Barnes Common are also affected, as Royal Parks issued a similar warning.

Thames Water said it is working to repair a burst mains pipe and is “using tankers to ensure no further discharge”.

The post by Wimbledon and Putney Commons advised that “people and dogs should keep out of the brook, from Wimbledon Common and downstream”.

Beverley Brook is nine miles (14.4km) in length, according to the South East Rivers Trust.

A Thames Water spokesperson said: “Our teams are working to repair a burst rising main in the area, and we are using tankers to ensure no further discharge.

“An assessment of what mitigation measures need to be carried out will take place shortly.”