Sewage Action Group Update
SAGLUV Update - 2 October 2024
Martyn Wright reports:
Rainfall in September in Berkshire and the adjacent counties was more than three times the monthly average. For the serious weather watchers the detail is here.
What does this mean for us? Well, until recently, the groundwater level had been steadily dropping, but is now showing signs of levelling off or possibly even rising. Comparing the situation with last winter, the water table is currently higher than this time last year – and we’ve had more rain this year than last, and that was before September’s contribution! So I think we can be fairly certain that we are in for another winter of high groundwater and all that comes with it.
High groundwater levels, of course, have implications for potential sewer flooding and all the disruption that brings. However, there is good news to report on this front.
I have previously shared with you the Thames Water plans with regard to sewer re-lining, repairs and manhole sealing in Eastbury, East Garston and Great Shefford. In ongoing communications with TW, we have been regularly assured that TW were more or less on schedule with the work, and this was confirmed again last week.
I dropped into the Thames Water Drop-in session in Lambourn last Wednesday. TW certainly put a lot of effort into the day. It was constructive, with plenty of knowledgeable staff on hand to answer a range of questions about their sewer networks and the work they have been doing to make them more resilient to groundwater flooding. TW assured me that all the planned work had been completed, bar a final few manholes to be sealed in Eastbury which were due to be done by the end of last week.
And in East Garston, SSE have cleared some branches around their cables that will enable TW to position the ATAC filtration Unit at the pumping station. TW are hoping that the work they’ve done will mean that the unit is not needed, but they plan to install it in December as a precautionary measure, just in case. TW have also carried out a major refurb of the pumping station with two new pumps installed along with other improvements.
There is no doubt that our three villages have had a great deal of attention from Thames Water!
Incidentally, a major sewer re-lining/repair project has also been approved for Lambourn and Upper Lambourn, so good news for our neighbours, and the river, as well.
Only time will tell how effective this round of re-lining and repairs have been, and they are certainly going to be severely tested this winter. We know that making our old decaying sewers resilient to flooding is an ongoing challenge, and this won’t be the end of the campaign. But rest assured, we at SAGLUV will be monitoring and following progress very closely indeed!
SAGLUV Update - 19 August 2024
Following SAGLUV’s senior level meeting with Thames Water’s Waste Water Operations Director, and Lanes’ (contractors) Senior Field Operations manager, that we reported on a few weeks ago, a further meeting was held on 24 July at Regional Field Operations level to go through the detailed work plans for the relining and manhole sealing project starting in Eastbury, followed by East Garston and Great Shefford. We were told that the work would be carried out by specialist contractors, OnSite, commencing at the end of July to be completed by end of August/early September.
As it seems that the area hasn’t exactly been overrun with engineers with shovels, pipes and assorted equipment, we followed up progress with TW last week.
We are told that the work has started and is on track to finish within the predicted timescale. Apparently, much of the work done so far has not always been on main thoroughfares in the public eye, hence the lack of visible progress. However, there are some road closures planned shortly (if they haven’t already happened) near the Eastbury Plough and the site of the old Village Hall, where more obvious work will be completed. Here is an extract from the update email we received with the detail:
“I can confirm OnSite have completed 28 individual liners (short lengths), no major set ups required, most in private gardens or tucked away off the main road. The team have feedback that they’ve been speaking to local residents and answered any questions. The work they have completed has only required small vans and remote equipment, so I believe this is why you are reporting no one is seeing them as there may be an expectation of big set ups and disruption which they are trying to keep to a minimum.
There are 3 long length liners outstanding and 17 manholes left to seal, the lengths left require a road closure and Onsite are awaiting highways to approve the road closures, within the road closure 5 manholes will also be sealed, but the remaining 12 will be done next week”
As TW cannot directly supervise all the work, they have to rely on the contractors sticking to their agreed work plans, and with the many jobs being undertaken in a limited window of opportunity when groundwater levels allow, it is understandable that it is difficult for TW to keep everyone abreast of what is happening on a daily basis. However, it is frustrating to be left wondering! We believe that the Eastbury work is underway, and we have now been told that the remaining work will be carried out in all three villages at the same time. An OnSite team has been seen in EG, but evidence is anecdotal rather than definitive.
Rest assured, we will keep the pressure on to ensure, as best we can, that the work will be completed as per the schedule. We are also looking at ways to improve the communication chain, without taking up the time of the Field Operations people.
One thing that would help us to keep their feet to the fire, is feedback from you, the residents. We would welcome any reported sightings of OnSite or TW activity in your area, so if you could let your local SAGLUV representative know, that would be much appreciated.
We will issue a further update early in September, hopefully, with good news!
Martyn Wright