Agenda item

Richard Aylard, External Affairs and Sustainability Director for Thames Water, will attend the meeting to answer Member questions on issues of interest for local residents and community groups.

Further to a request from the Committee, Richard Aylard, Thames Water’s Sustainability Director, attended the meeting to give a presentation and answer Member questions on matters of interest to residents and local communities. James Bentley, Thames Water’s Operations Director, joined Richard for the Q&A which followed.

 

The presentation covered the following issues:

 

·           How does a sewage treatment works operate?

·           Why do flows increase after rainfall? Causes - infiltration, missed and unauthorised connections, inundation and physical damage.

·           Why do flows increase after rainfall – dual manholes.

·           Impacts on river water quality – reasons for not achieving Good status in the Thames River Basin.

·           Event Duration Monitor (EDM) – showing the number and duration of overflows at sites in the Borough.

·           Storm Discharge Interactive Map – showing storm discharge activity indicated by Thames Water’s EDM at sites in the Borough. The map has been updated to include improvement plans.

·           Thames Water Investment Plans – Wokingham Borough:

 

o    Arborfield Sewage Treatment Works (STW) – an upgrade is planned to improve the ability to treat the volumes of incoming sewage, reducing the need for untreated discharges in wet weather. Due to complete in 2026.

 

o    Remenham STW – is a small treatment works, currently operating well with no major upgrade schemes planned.

 

o    Longwater STW – ongoing work to improve the efficiency of its sludge system.

 

o    Ash Ridge (Wokingham) STW – an upgrade is planned to improve the ability to treat the volumes of incoming sewage, reducing the need for untreated discharges in wet weather;

 

o    New Mill STW – is currently operating well and there are no plans for major upgrade schemes.

 

o    Wargrave STW – is being upgraded to improve its ability to treat the volumes of incoming sewage, reducing the need for untreated discharges. The scheme is due to complete in 2026. Assessments for future upgrades are also being considered to cater for future growth in the Wargrave system.

 

In the ensuing discussion, Members raised the following points and questions:

 

The Wargrave STW supported a large catchment area and a population equivalent of 119k. Local Members were interested in the planned investment plans from 2026 onwards. Richard Aylard stated that Thames Water would be happy to deliver a tour of the site for a small group – up to six people. Generally, Thames Water would be happy to deliver talks to local communities, perhaps via the relevant Town and Parish Councils.

 

It was noted that a number of STWs in Reading had an impact on Wokingham Borough. Reading STW was one of the biggest and newest STWs, so there were no immediate plans for investment. There were eight sewage discharges into the Kennet in 2022 which was relatively low, but still too high.

 

There were ongoing issues at the Grazeley Road pumping station and a new station at Three Mile Cross – the system appeared to take a long time to switch back on following incidents, resulting in problems such as sewage in gardens. Were there any plans to address this? Richard Aylard and James Bentley undertook to investigate and provide a response for Councillor Chris Johnson.

 

In relation to ongoing investment in infrastructure, would Thames Water be using its own money? Richard Aylard explained that the regulatory system required the water companies to carry out the works and recover the costs from customers over the life of the works. In recent years shareholders had put more investment into Thames Water, but there was limit. Companies needed incentives to invest and the regulator (Ofwat) had to ensure that the process worked. Over the past decade, bills have reduced at the expense of increased investment.

 

The presentation highlighted some positives in relation to investment, but it appeared that, in the 30 years since the water companies were established, there had been insufficient investment. Richard Aylard confirmed that this was accurate, but the water companies had been constrained by what Ofwat allowed them to do. There was also an enormous challenge in relation to the state of the infrastructure (Victorian pipes, etc.) and EU Directives relating to clean and waste water. The focus on keeping water bills low had limited the funds for investment. Thames Water were now carrying out a forensic examination of all its assets and was working on a submission to Ofwat on the price review process. This submission could be shared with Members once it was finalised.

 

There had been two incidents relating to sink holes in Elms Field and Evendons. What learning had been taken from these events? Was Thames Water happy with the work of the contractors involved in those events? Richard Aylard confirmed that there could have been more effective communication with elected Members and residents. Thames Water were happy to look at specific points raised by Members and were willing to talk to local Members and residents.

 

In relation to the cost of living crisis, what measures were there to help people who were struggling to pay their bills? James Bentley confirmed that people who were struggling could receive up to 50% off their bills under the social tariff: “Waterhelp”. It was noted that WBC officers needed to be aware of the help that Thames Water was offering so that residents of the Borough could be advised. James Bentley confirmed that Thames Water would welcome closer working with WBC on issues relating to affordability and on more general issues affecting residents.

 

In relation to the payment of dividends, could Thames Water provide clarification on payments to internal shareholders and the movement of funds within the company structure? It was confirmed that a written response could be provide to clarify this issue.

 

In relation to new housing developments and their impact on the supply of water, how was Thames Water working with local councils? It was confirmed that Thames Water tried to work with councils on Local Plans and tried to establish a long term view on new housing and its implications for water and sewage treatment services. If development was not carried out properly, for example resulting in increased amounts of surface water, then problems could arise. Thames Water was a statutory consultee for local plans but not for individual planning applications. As the Council was currently working on a new Local Plan, it was important to ensure that Thames Water were involved in the process.

 

Richard Aylard explained that smart metering was being rolled out in 2024. Thames Water would like to talk to WBC in September about the benefits of smart meters. Compulsory smart meters would be rolled out in Berkshire from the beginning of 2024.

 

Thames Water suffered from a high level of leaks through burst water mains, etc. What steps were being taken to address this issue? It was confirmed that this was a top priority for the company with regular high-level meetings to discuss incidents and progress. Failure to meet leakage reduction targets resulted in financial penalties for the water companies. It was confirmed that feedback on the current situation relating to water leakages in the Borough could be fed back after the meeting.

 

In relation to new housing developments, there appeared to be delays in the adoption of infrastructure such as new roads as a result of inaction by Thames Water. James Bentley confirmed that the company would be happy to discuss individual cases and see what lessons could be learned.

 

In relation to the Climate Emergency, what steps were being taken to meet water reduction targets? It was confirmed that smart meters had an important role to play as they could result in significant reductions in water usage. Thames Water was working with developers and offering discounts for water efficient works. It was also important to provide hints and tips for residents to limit their daily water usage. Effective communication was important and councils had a part to play.

 

The Chair thanked the Thames water representatives for attending the meeting and engaging in a constructive debate with the Committee.

 

RESOLVED That:

 

1)     Richard Aylard and James Bentley be thanked for attending the meeting and answering Member questions in a constructive manner;

 

2)     the Chair write to Thames Water with a summary of the issues discussed and an invitation to attend the Committee’s meeting on 16 January 2024, in order to discuss progress on the matters discussed;

 

3)     Members consider the invitation from Thames Water for small groups to visit local sewage treatment works, such as Wargrave STW, perhaps in conjunction with representatives for Town and Parish Councils;

 

4)     Town and Parish Councils be alerted to the opportunity for briefings from Thames Water on local water/sewage-related issues;

 

5)     further discussions be held with local Members on the lessons learned from the two sinkhole incidents (Elms Field and Evendons), potentially via a meeting with residents;

 

6)     a meeting be arranged for Thames Water to brief WBC staff on the measures developed to support residents who were struggling to pay bills – the briefing to include Thames Water’s priority service register (for older/disabled residents) and the social tariff;

 

7)     a meeting be arranged with Thames Water in September 2023 in order to discuss the pros and cons and rollout of smart water meters across the Borough in 2024;

 

8)     Thames Water hold discussions with WBC planners and highways staff on ways to remove blockages in the process for adopting new estate infrastructure;

 

9)     Thames Water and WBC officers consider ways of delivering water efficient homes through the planning process and implementation of the Council’s Climate Emergency Action Plan.