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Latest News from East Garston Flood & Pollution Forum

To see the latest Environment Agency about flooding in the Lambourn Valley, click here

31st October 2024

Martyn Wright writes:

As predicted, groundwater levels are now rising steadily, and so, of course, is the river. At the recent WBC Scrutiny Commission meeting, and at this week’s Lambourn Valley Flood Forum, we were up-dated with the latest thinking on flood risk for this winter. (For the draft minutes of the Scrutiny Commission meeting, see the link at the end of this update).

The key point to note is the confirmation that we can expect very high groundwater levels in the coming months. The relevant agencies are predicting that levels could reach those last seen in 2014, and for those who were around here then, you will remember that that was a very testing time. WBC held a press briefing last week to warn people that there will be a risk of flooding, and to make appropriate preparations. They have re-iterated that residential flood precautions are the responsibility of the home owner, although, of course, WBC, the Environment Agency and Thames Water all have their own responsibilities.

A very helpful guide issued by WBC can be found here.

With the River Lambourn running through our village, there are specific responsibilities to be aware of. The Environment Agency have certain duties to maintain the river to minimise flood risk, but the prime responsibility lies with riparian owners (i.e. property owners whose land borders the river). The above guide outlines this, but the whole subject of the responsibilities of riparian owners involving a highly protected (SSSI & SAC) water course is a bit of a minefield, and one that I will be trying to throw some light on in the coming weeks.

With high groundwater comes the risk of sewer flooding. Thames Water have assured us that they have completed all of the planned relining and manhole sealing work that they discussed with us earlier this year, but that work is going to be severely tested in the next few months. Already the groundwater level is exceeding TW’s amber risk threshold but with no evidence of flooding yet. Fortunately, October rainfall wasn’t excessive.

TW will continue to monitor the sewers to look for any infiltration as pipes and drains get covered with groundwater. This is the time when TW can spot “misconnections” i.e. leaks in private drains to sewers, or sometimes situations where groundwater has been diverted into the sewer network. This, of course, is not permitted.

The installation of the ATAC filter unit that was planned for December is being brought forward and will be erected adjacent to the pumping station in the next couple of weeks. With luck, it won’t have to be used, but it will be ready if needed. Hopefully tankers won’t have to be used as well, but we will see.

Here is the link to the draft minutes of the Scrutiny Commission meeting. You can even watch the video! But a word of warning, the meeting went on for 3 ½ hours!

All (or at least some) eyes will be glued to the gauges in the coming weeks, and I will keep posting up-dates as and when.

Any questions or points to make, please let me know.

For an update on the sewage system, see here.

If you would like to join the EGF&PF, please contact Martyn Wright at martynwright345@btinternet.com

2nd October 2024

Martyn Wright writes:

Now that we have seen the back of sodden September, I thought an update was due:

 I don’t need to tell you that September was wet!

But the data just released from the Met Office for the month, certainly confirms it. Rainfall 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.

I will be attending two relevant meetings in October; WBC Scrutiny Commission, and Lambourn Valley Flood Forum, both at which Thames Water, WBC, and Environment Agency  will be present and talking about this very subject, so I will be able to give you a more detailed update at the end of the month.