THE ongoing saga surrounding sewage treatment has taken another twist as campaigners claim 'levels of E. coli are way over what you would expect'.

Mareve Kilbride-Newman has been working with Windrush Against Sewage Pollution (WASP) and collects samples of river water, which she tests for various things, including E. coli.

The retired headteacher does this on a weekly basis, and she said: “The tests I do are colitag tests, and I believe they're the same ones Thames Water and the Environment Agency do.”

The citizen scientist explained that drinking water should provide a reading of zero, whilst blue flag swimming beaches should have a reading of less than 88.

See also: Young girl strangled in Oxford woods

However, she claims from a colitag she gathered at Madley Brook that a reading of 2,400 was given, whilst at the west branch of the River Windrush, a reading of 1,600 was provided.

She said: “Madley Brook runs at the back of people's gardens and I'm sure it's a risk to health, especially for dogs and children going into the water.

“The figures are way over what it would it be for recreational use.”

A spokesperson for Thames Water said: “During the exceptionally wet winter, our operations team has been working tirelessly to keep Witney sewage works operating as effectively as possible.

“This has meant we’ve been able to treat significantly more sewage than the site is designed for and has kept storm discharges to a minimum.

Oxford Mail:

“As protecting the environment is very important to us we’ve also gone above and beyond and installed two temporary filters to remove some of the nastier elements of the storm water before its discharged.

“Our business plan for the next five years contains a number of measures that will improve the current situation including more re-lining of pipes to reduce groundwater flooding our sewer network.

“We also plan to increase capacity at Witney sewage works.”

Meanwhile, a Witney town councillor has launched a petition to ask for the sewerage treatment system in Witney and West Oxfordshire to be upgraded.

Read more: Bullingdon named one of worst jails in the country

Ruth Smith, chair of the council's planning committee, said: “The areas affected are falling so obviously behind the standards we expect for public health.

“The E. coli is there and WASP has got evidence of it.

“WASP is amazing and really know their stuff, we wouldn't even know about all this if it wasn't for them.”

Upon publication, the petition has reached about 600 signatures online, with a further 100 in paper, as the councillor said that 'residents are really getting behind it'.

See also: Meet Oxfordshire residents hoping to improve UK

Ashley Smith from WASP said: “Raising awareness and pursuing council action through the petition is a great idea.

“Sewage fungus at Colwell Brook is still there nearly four months after we first reported it.”

On Christmas Eve, Witney Town Council issued a warning to the public after sewage spilled into streams, following heavy rainfall in the lead up to Christmas.

Swimming and food gathering was not recommended, whilst dog walkers were advised to keep their pets on a lead.