Minutes:
John Yates (Head of Delivery), Emma Fairbairns (Clean Rivers and Seas Taskforce) Mike Russell (Stakeholder Engagement Manager) and James Latter (Pathfinder Manager) were in attendance for this item.
1) Mike Russell opened the presentation with the following points:
a) The representatives from Southern Water introduced the six-monthly update and provided the Committee with an overview of progress made in delivering Sustainable Drainage Systems (SuDS) and storm overflow reduction measures across Kent. Members were advised that the Clean Rivers and Seas Task Force had expanded significantly, with more than 120 officers now engaged in storm overflow reduction programmes across the region.
b) Members were informed that Southern Water (SW) was delivering a £1.5 billion storm overflow reduction programme across its region, with approximately £300 million currently being invested in North Kent. The programme focused on reducing storm overflow activity, improving water quality and creating more sustainable catchment management solutions.
c) SW officers provided an update on works underway within the principal North Kent catchments, including Whitstable, Queenborough, Sittingbourne, Faversham and Herne Bay. Members were informed that the approach combined traditional engineering solutions with sustainable drainage measures, smart infrastructure and surface water removal schemes
d) In relation to Whitstable, Members were advised that surface water separation and intelligent gate systems had reduced storm overflow events and that additional improvements, including the development of a new treatment works, were under consideration to address historical issues within the catchment.
e) The Committee heard that an 82% reduction in storm overflow events had been achieved within Queenborough through the installation of additional storage capacity, smart network controls and surface water removal activity. Members were informed that similar work in Sittingbourne had delivered an 85% reduction in spills by reducing groundwater ingress into the sewerage network.
f) SW officers outlined progress on a number of SuDS projects, including rain gardens and public realm improvements within Herne Bay town centre, attenuation and drainage schemes at Beacon Hill and Victoria Park, Herne Bay; a proposed SuDS scheme at Cobbers Bridge Road; a series of linked SuDS interventions throughout Faversham town centre; works at Cornwallis Circle, Beckley Street and Cromwell Road, Whitstable; and projects being developed within Sheppey and Queenborough.
g) Members were advised that investigations had also commenced within future catchments, including Bidborough and Tunbridge Wells, to identify surface water connections and opportunities for intervention. Officers explained that a substantial programme of investigative work was required before solutions could be designed and implemented.
h) The Committee noted the importance of partnership working and heard that Southern Water was working with local authorities, schools, major landowners, health organisations and commercial partners to identify opportunities for sustainable drainage and surface water management. Officers highlighted examples of successful collaboration through SuDS in Schools projects, public realm schemes and discussions with significant landowners and infrastructure operators.
i) Members were informed that Southern Water continued to operate its Rivers and Seas Watch platform, which provided real-time information on storm overflow activity and enabled residents and stakeholders to monitor performance and hold the organisation to account.
2) In discussion, Members raised the following matters:
a) Concerns were expressed regarding discharges from the Edenbridge Wastewater Treatment Works and the potential impact upon the forthcoming Hever Castle Triathlon. Members requested assurances that every effort would be made to avoid storm overflow discharges ahead of the event. Officers acknowledged the concerns and undertook to investigate the issue further and provide a direct response. It was explained that storm overflow events were automated safety mechanisms and could not be manually activated; however, the organisation recognised the importance of continued investment to reduce such events.
b) Members sought clarification regarding the reduction targets for storm overflows and how improvements would be measured. Officers advised that regulatory targets required storm overflow activity to be reduced to fewer than ten events annually at designated locations and that performance would continue to be published through annual reporting and public data platforms.
c) Questions were raised regarding partnership working and whether drainage schemes already being delivered through wider regeneration initiatives were being reflected within the programme. Presenters confirmed that Southern Water was supporting a range of projects outside the specific storm overflow programme and that lessons learned from these initiatives would continue to inform wider delivery.
d) Members discussed opportunities to work more closely with farmers and landowners to create natural drainage features and on-farm water storage. Officers confirmed that engagement with the agricultural sector was ongoing and that catchment-based approaches formed an increasing part of future delivery plans.
e) Clarification was sought regarding rainfall thresholds and the circumstances in which storm overflows became operational. Officers confirmed that further work was underway to present this information in a more accessible format and acknowledged the importance of communicating such measures more clearly.
f) Members raised concerns regarding future maintenance responsibilities for SuDS infrastructure. It was explained that maintenance obligations would be determined through agreements with local partners and that appropriate maintenance funding would form part of the arrangements for each scheme.
g) Questions were raised regarding monitoring arrangements for inland river outfalls and the availability of data to local residents. Officers advised that information relating to monitored outfalls was available through Rivers and Seas Watch and that residents could continue to use that platform to access operational information.
h) The Chairman thanked the representatives of Southern Water for their attendance and welcomed the offer for continued engagement with Members regarding water resilience, storm overflows and sustainable drainage initiatives across Kent.
RESOLVED to note the Southern Water SuDS installation updates.