West London residents are fighting to prevent sewage from being dumped into a river.

Action groups have labelled the decision 'murderous' saying that if it is approved, it would harm the area.

In a letter about the application, Cranford Action Group, which has spent hundreds of hours collectively maintaining the River Crane, its footpaths and surrounding green space, said the plan was in "flagrant disregard of nature."

According to the group, Hillingdon Council's plan, which needs approval from the Environmental Agency, would allow treated sewage to enter the waterway from a café in Cranford Park.

The proposed discharge will occur just upstream of Cranford Park Bridge which will mean the liquid waste will run downstream from Hillingdon and into Hounslow.

The action group, which has 238 members, says that there has been no prior public consultation in either borough.

This sewage is categorised as secondary treated sewage effluent according to the Environmental Agency.

Primary treatment means settling out much of the solid matter, and secondary treatment means using bacteria to break down the organic substances, according to Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.

Although this process does make the sewage less harmful, Dr Umme Khanzada, a biologist and key organiser of the Cranford Action Group, says the water could still do damage to the river's ecosystem.

"The plan to install this system could upset the delicate ecosystem of the river and contamination from damaging levels of phosphate, nitrates, faecal bacteria and pathogens.

"This will deteriorate the water quality of the river and its wildlife," the action group letter reads.

River Crane (credit: Cranford Action Group).

Speaking to Local Democracy Reporting Services (LDRS), Dr Khanzada points to nitrates in the sewage which could promote algae growth.

Too much algae growth can mean it starts to cover the whole water's surface denying wildlife below it, such as fish and plants, crucial sunlight which can gut ecosystems.

"[The river] is in a healthy state at the moment which is hard to believe given its location we are under the flight path we are surrounded by motorways but this will lead to its deterioration.

"Given the current climate and how people feel about river pollution and sewage that is being discharged, I'm astonished that this is being proposed.

"By hook or by crook we will do what we can to stop this."

Dr Khanzada says that the approval of the plan could set a bad precedent, opening the door for other businesses or companies to use the River Crane in a similar way.

She adds that she believes that the dumping could affect the experience of paddlers and dog walkers who regularly use the area, especially in the summer.

Dr Khanzada and the action group have argued that there are alternatives to discharging sewage into the river including installing a septic tank or connecting the cafe directly to local sewerage systems.

The biologist says she believes the reason why these options haven't been pursued is due to money.

"My understanding is it is down to cost," she said, "they could connect the cafe to a foul sewer but from what I'm aware that would be very very expensive."

Image of the cafe in Cranford Park (credit: Cranford Action Group).

Hillingdon Council said: "The council has applied to the Environment Agency for a permit for the installation of a sewage treatment plant at Cranford Park where any wastewater will be treated to meet its very stringent requirements before it can be discharged.

"The buildings and some facilities of Cranford Park date back to the 18th century.

"The council is nearing completion of a major restoration project of the site, which includes the construction of a brand new café and toilet facilities for visitors.

"This requires a complete modernisation of the site's decades-old sewage system.

"Currently, sewage on site is untreated and passes to a Victorian septic tank which is no longer fit for purpose and would not be able to accommodate the extra capacity created following the restoration.

"Expert consultants considered many options for the treatment of the sewage, but almost all had to be discounted due to the constraints of the site, leaving the treatment plant as the only viable alternative."

The Environmental Agency is taking comments on the plan until 15 March.

Residents or concerned parties can comment via this email: [email protected].

For those looking for advice about how to make a representation or if you are unable to make a representation via e-mail you can call 03708 506 506.

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