Southern Water Update

As I write this Southern Water (SW) have finally stopped the spill adjacent to Waterloo Bridge in Wiremead Lane that has threatened to pollute the Pillhill Brook. It is just a shame that this means the closure of the road between Amport Fisheries and the bottom of the lane. This is clearly not an acceptable situation and Amport Parish Council in cooperation with the Pan Parish Forum are working closely with SW and Hampshire County Council to find a way to get the road open again. We have proposed a way to reopen the road without creating any safety risks and are waiting for HCC to approve this work without delay. We know the road closure is inconvenient but please be patient.

It is a shame that I had to start this update with bad news because there is good news to share with you. The lining of the private sewer pipes with Tubogel in Kimpton has begun to have an affect. So far this year no tankers have been required at Stanbury Road Water Pumping Station (WPS), this time last year there were 3 tankers servicing this site. At Mullens Pond WPS there are 7 tankers servicing the site, whereas last year there double that number. And so far no tankers have been needed at Furzedown Lane WPS. The relining work carried out in Monxton High Street is making a difference too. Last year there were 8 - 10 tankers servicing the site, so far this year none have been needed. It’s the same story at Little Ann Bridge WPS in Abbotts Ann, no tankers so far this year whereas last year 12 - 14 tankers were servicing the site.

We can expect better information and response times from SW regarding infiltration. This is because SW are deploying a suite of remote monitoring devices across their sewer network to help predict problem flows.

We have previously spoken about the monitoring devices SW planned to install across their network. I can report that the following devices are now in place: (1) flow monitors at each water pumping station to give advanced warning of rising fluid levels, (2) 3 boreholes at Stanbury Road, Mullens Pond and Monxton Water Pumping Stations - measuring actual groundwater levels in our valley for the first time. Local volunteers are taking weeklymeasurements at these boreholes until remote telemetry can be installed, (3) 60 sewer level monitors - fully operational in March and (4) 22 temperature sensors - groundwater is cold and unexpected drops in temperature can help pinpoint infiltration. Together these devices will be a crucial part of evaluating the effectiveness of SW’s relining programme in tackling groundwater infiltration.

If you would like more information on the work being undertaken in your village by SW please contact your Parish Council.

Updates are also published on amportparishcouncil.org.uk and amportvillage.org.uk and the Monxton, Amport & East Cholderton Villages Facebook and other local village Facebook Groups.

Janet Wright

Secretary to the Pan Parish Forum

The Pan Parish Forum is made up of representatives from Kimpton, Thruxton, Fyfield, Amport, Monxton, Quarley, Abbotts Ann and Upper Clatford Parish Councils. Together the Forum is working with SW to represent resident’s best interests.