Foul Water Network Pressures and the Institute Development

Residents will have noticed tankers operating again at the Aldworth Road pumping station over the past week. Compton Parish Council has been monitoring the situation closely and has submitted updated information to West Berkshire Council as part of the ongoing planning applications for the former Institute site.

Ongoing tankering at Aldworth Road pumping station

Tankers have been operating at the Aldworth Road pumping station since 4th April 2026, and were still present on 9th April 2026. Photographs taken on both dates show tankers managing flows and evidence of surcharge on the road surface.

This confirms that the foul water network is currently under significant pressure and is struggling to cope with existing demand. These issues are familiar to residents, who have experienced repeated problems during high‑groundwater periods in recent years.

Why this matters for the planning applications

Two planning applications relating to the former Institute site are currently being considered by West Berkshire Council:

• 25/02791/COND – an application to discharge conditions relating to foul water and water network capacity
• 26/00261/RESMAJ – a new Reserved Matters application for the same site

The Parish Council has submitted the new evidence of ongoing tankering to both applications so that West Berkshire Council has the most up‑to‑date information about the condition of the network.

Conflicting responses from Thames Water

Residents should also be aware that Thames Water has issued two different responses to these applications:

• For the condition discharge application (25/02791/COND), Thames Water stated that the foul water condition could be discharged.
• For the new Reserved Matters application (26/00261/RESMAJ), Thames Water stated that the existing sewage treatment works cannot accommodate the development, and that upgrades will be required before any occupation can take place.

These two positions do not align. The Parish Council has raised this with West Berkshire Council and has provided the new tankering evidence to ensure that the decision‑making process is based on the most accurate and current information.

What the Parish Council is doing

• We have submitted additional information to both applications, including photographs of the ongoing tankering.
• We have highlighted the conflicting advice from Thames Water so that West Berkshire Council is fully aware of the situation.
• We will continue to monitor the foul water network and keep residents informed.

All of the documents mentioned in this update, including our submissions and the Thames Water responses, are provided below for residents to access easily.

Why this is important

Any future development in Compton must be supported by infrastructure that is safe, resilient, and capable of handling the additional demand. The ongoing tankering and Thames Water’s own acknowledgement (in the newer application) that upgrades are required underline the importance of resolving these issues before any new homes are occupied.

If residents have further evidence of foul water issues they have observed, they are welcome to contact the Parish Council.