Residents have spoken out about the "outrageous" state of local waterways after Thames Water released sewage following heavy rainfall.

For more than four weeks Eton Wick locals have experienced an awful smell drifting from streams after Thames Water's Slough sewage treatment works were overwhelmed.

As a result, untreated water has made its way along waterways and photographs of dead fish have since emerged raising alarm bells in the town.

Laura Regazzacci from Eton Wick Waterways Group said: "This used to be a lovely wildlife area but we do not know if they will survive.

"In 2014 it [storm discharge] wiped out the whole fish population. They had to restock the rivers and streams."

With 95 per cent of the stream, including Roundmoor Ditch, being from storm effluent (also known as storm discharge) these waterways act as overflow and flood plains during heavy rain.

However, it means in some cases polluted water runs very close to homes 

Laura added: "People do not want to go into their gardens or open their windows as they feel sick due to the smell."

Sarah Jane Smith, who lives in Eton Wick, has taken to social media to launch a campaign and has taken a petition to the council - awaiting publication.

"Sewage has been distributed for 115 hours. It is absolutely disgusting. We have residents who are talking about moving out because of the constant smell," Sarah said.

"This isn't a new thing. People say they can't open their windows in summer as the smell is horrific.

"I was appalled and shocked that this has been going on. The water is blue. I wouldn't dream of walking a dog there now.

"It is catastrophic how it will impact wildlife. I don't think people know quite how bad it is."

There are concerns about cattle being let into the waterlogged fields come April.

Sarah added: "It needs to stop. Enough is enough. They have done enough damage already. They [Thames Water] need to pay for the waterway to be cleaned."

Eton Town Council are now supporting the Eton Wick Waterways group, by raising awareness of the cause of the "unbearable" smell.

Representatives from the Environment Agency and Thames Water have visited the area to see the pollution for themselves and meet with local people.

Thames Water previously revealed how a pipeline in the area could help resolve issues, by directing sewage straight into the River Thames, bypassing the village. This was originally predicted to be in operation in 2025 but plans have since gone quiet.

Eton and Castle ward Councillor Mark Wilson, at the Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead has brought the issue up in a full council earlier in the week.

"I want to work with residents and bring either a petition or motion to the full council in the next few months to try and elevate this issue," Cllr Wilson.

"This would include calling on Thames Water and the Environment Agency to make sure that there is the infrastructure in place that means sewage discharges don't happen and only clean water comes out into the Roundmoor."

Emma-Clare Jessop from Eton Town Council added: "Our residents need to report to the environment agency as soon as they see dead fish or any other evidence of pollution with photos and locations. the EA will then have to respond to such information and hopefully, in due course, the pipeline project might have a chance of revival if the political will is there to resolve the Thames Water finances."

Thames Water has admitted untreated water is being released into the waterways as storm effluent, as seen on their EDM map online.

A Thames Water spokesperson said: “We regard any untreated discharges as unacceptable, and we’re committed to stopping them from being necessary.

"Storm overflows are designed to operate automatically when the sewer network is about to be overwhelmed which then releases diluted wastewater into rivers, rather than letting it back up into people’s homes.

“We are working hard to make these discharges unnecessary and have published plans to upgrade over 250 of our sewage treatment works and sewers to treat the high volumes of incoming sewage and reduce the need for overflows during wet weather."

The Environment Agency is investigating the ongoing discharge.

An Environment Agency spokesperson said: “We are investigating the ongoing storm discharge at Slough Sewage Treatment Works. We believe it to be a permitted discharge as a result of recent high rainfall, but we have directed Thames Water to reduce the pollution risks where possible to local streams, including Roundmoor Ditch.

“Thames Water needs to confirm what additional actions and investment it will put in place at Slough Sewage Treatment Works to improve the situation in the longer term.”