Oxford residents are being warned to stay away from local waterways as heavy rain continues to cause flooding and significant sewage overflows across the city. On February 20, 2026, official data from the Environment Agency showed that 16 flood alerts are currently active across Oxfordshire, with specific warnings in place for the River Ray and the River Thames at Shiplake.
The persistent rainfall, which has been heavy at times since mid-January, has overwhelmed local infrastructure and left ground conditions saturated. Low-lying land and roads in the Oxford area are expected to remain underwater through February 20, 2026, as river levels struggle to fall back due to the ongoing wet weather.
Data from the county’s largest sewage plant, the Oxford Sewage Treatment Works, shows that untreated waste was pumped into the River Thames for 335 consecutive hours. This continuous discharge only ended on February 19, 2026, and was managed by Thames Water, which stated that its historical system design is meant to prevent sewage from backing up into people’s homes.
Environmental campaigners from Windrush Against Sewage Pollution documented sewage releases at 26 different sites across the county in just one 24-hour period during the recent storms. These discharges have raised concerns about water quality for swimmers, anglers, and businesses that rely on the health of the river.
Oxfordshire County Council is currently coordinating the local flood response and advising the public to stay updated on road closures. Residents are urged to avoid contact with floodwaters due to the high risk of contamination from the ongoing sewage spills.
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