MORE than 70 residents turned out to discuss the problem of sewage leaking into Ruscombe Brook amid claims that £4 million has been wasted on inadequate solutions.

Locals residents met with council officials, Severn Trent Water chiefs and Stroud MP David Drew at Ebley Mill to try to resolve the situation as giant screens showed raw sewage spilling into the brook.

"We have found some particularly nasty incidents of sewage leaking into the brook," said Ruscombe resident Philip Booth, who helped organise the event on Friday, September 23.

"They picked out two bucket loads of tampons and sanitary towels alone. "The people behind the canal development were very concerned about the water quality. If they are going to turn it into a nice boating area they don't want tampons floating by."

Julian Jones, Stroud-based director of environmental organisation Vision 21, said Severn Trent should consider reed bed systems - a cheap, green method of treating sewage.

"In the last 14 years about £4 million has been spent in the Stroud area to tackle problems," he said.

"Yet if only £250,000 had been spent on alternatives like reed beds we would have solved most of the problems. That is £3.75 million wasted." But he added that Severn Trent had built over 200 reed beds - more than all the other UK Water companies put together.

Mr Booth also praised the company for working with residents to find a solution.

There are currently no Government standards for bacteria in rivers. A spokesman for Severn Trent Water said: "We disagree that we have wasted any money.

"We use reed beds where they are appropriate. They are very useful, but take up a large amount of space, which is not always appropriate, and can't always treat sewage to the required standard.

"We do take working with residents very seriously and look forward to working with them in the future."

*Ruscombe Brook Action Group should can be contacted on 01453 750145.