A woman recovering from cancer has described the noise and diesel fumes from Thames Water generators as a constant source of distress, likening the experience to “torture.”
Rachel Freeston, from Lambourn, Berkshire, explained that the ongoing noise and fumes were making her life unbearable. “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,” she told the BBC.
Thames Water responded with an apology, explaining that the generators, located in the village, are essential for protecting the River Lambourn from untreated sewage. The generators were brought in after the area experienced sewage flooding in March 2024.
Freeston, who has been recovering from cancer, expressed her frustration at the situation. “I’m supposed to be relaxing, recovering, and it’s just been nothing but stress. I can’t use my garden,” she said. “A friend did my garden last year to help me recover, but now it’s all dead because I can’t open my windows or doors.”
The noise and fumes have reached a point where Freeston finds herself seeking refuge elsewhere. “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.”
In response, Thames Water assured they were addressing the issue. “We apologise for any disruption and inconvenience caused,” a company spokesperson said. “We are in contact with Ms. Freeston to address her concerns.”
The company has taken steps to reduce the noise, including the installation of acoustic panels around the site. “We are exploring additional measures to minimize the impact on neighbors,” Thames Water added.
The generators are only activated when groundwater levels exceed the capacity of the local sewage system. Thames Water also stated that their teams are working to fix defects in the network to reduce the need for the generators in the future. These efforts are ongoing.
