Thames Water: Tanker vehicles at Compton Sewage Pumping Station

Thames Water will be distributing the following information to some households in Compton today, but would like to ensure that everyone is aware of this information:

Working in Compton

Hello,

You may have already seen our tanker vehicles at our Aldworth Road (Compton) Sewage Pumping Station. This is because we’re experiencing high flows in our foul water network from the high ground water tables infiltrating into our sewers. We are needing to manage the flows in our network by using tanker vehicles, to prevent any flooding, pollution or loss of facilities to our customers.

Please be assured, as soon as we feel the levels are low enough, we’ll remove our tanker vehicles. However, it’s important to mention, that should we see a rise in levels again, we may need to reinstate them.

We know our tankers can be noisy and this can appear amplified at night times. As the network is currently being overwhelmed with excess water throughout the day and night, we must use our tankers at all times to ensure the flows continue to be managed.

Just to let you know, we do have a Drainage Strategy which we’ve completed for your area. This has been designed to reduce the unaccounted flow entering our foul water network, which can result in flooding to the area. You can also find out the works we have already carried out in your area which includes lining approximately 244 metres of our sewer network with watertight lining to prevent infiltration into our network. You can learn more about our Drainage Strategy in your area by using the following link:

https://corporate.thameswater.co.uk/-/media/Site-Content/Thames-Water/Corporate/AboutUs/Investing-in-our-network/Drainage-strategies/Compton.pdf

The steps taken to stop groundwater entering our sewers will have helped to reduce infiltration in the area, however, as you know, high groundwater levels is part of the natural cycle in Chalk catchments. Therefore, although we have done work, the groundwater may still enter the sewer system. We are continuing to carry out investigations to understand where this may be happening. Once we identify these points of interest, we may then decide to carry out further work such as lining or sealing further manholes.

Additionally, please be assured, even though we know the ground levels are high, we are still investigating the network to ensure there are no other contributing operational issues, which we may be able to resolve.

How this will affect you

We’d like to reassure you that your drinking water and your wastewater services will not be affected – you’ll be able to use water and flush your toilet as normal.

We’re sorry for any inconvenience caused due to the increased traffic or noise and we thank you for your patience.

Why we’re still working during Coronavirus

As an essential service, we’re dedicated to keeping our water and wastewater services running smoothly. Delaying routine repairs and maintenance can increase the risk of more serious issues such as burst pipes. This would result in greater interruptions and problems for customers, at this already difficult time.

The safety and wellbeing of our customers and our staff is of the utmost importance to us. Our teams are constantly adapting to follow the latest government advice to keep themselves and others safe, while ensuring we deliver our critical services. We are rescheduling non-essential work on customers’ boundaries and are happy to consider any other requests that give peace of mind.

We’re here to help

If you have any questions, please call our 24-hour customer centre on 0800 316 9800 quoting your address and reference number BB973842.

Yours faithfully,

Bell Kelly - Customer Liaison