Agenda and minutes

The minutes of the meeting held on 30 November 2016 were agreed.

Minute No. 28 – Matters Arising

Members noted that another letter had been received by SWW regarding concerns over the green sludge accumulating on the public right of way in the Newport Park area.  Nigel Thomas-Childs reiterated that a sample has been checked and confirmed it is not sewage sludge from SWW.  This was reported at the meeting on 13 April 2016.  As a sample had been checked, no further Environment Agency resources would be available for this complaint.

Minute No. 29 – Operational Update

Nick Murch would check for any updates regarding connection of Seabrook Orchards to the mains sewer.

Refurbishment of all four primary tanks had commenced and a letter would be sent to residents imminently.  It was also suggested that the SWW caravan or pop-up gazebo could be sited in the area to provide more information to residents, and Nick Murch advised that this was being explored.

Tank no. 1 had been drained last week and had been pressure washed.  Scaffold was being erected today.  A complaint had been received on 21 February and this may be attributed to washing down the tank.

Each tank will take 7-8 weeks to complete.  Whilst working on tank no. 1, tank no. 2 cannot be operated as often due to the proximity and there was a possibility that this would be used during the night.  No weekend working would take place.

The works are planned to be complete by the end of the year.

The complaints report was noted.

A residents representative referred to a strong odour on 25 February and Nick Murch would investigate.

Following an email received from a resident, it was noted that the SWW website has a ‘Contact us’ page for complaints or concerns - http://www.southwestwater.co.uk/index.cfm?articleid=7466 where a call back can be requested, register concerns online or by letter.

The odour reports received by SWW on a monthly basis were presented and noted.

Reference was also made to extra properties being built in the area and that the strength of the effluent coming into the works would change as a result.

The technical summary of the Wastewater Works Treatment Odour Assessments was presented for September 2015 - August 2016.  This collates findings from both the September 2015 and August 2016 odour surveys and summarised the findings.  Six recommendations had been specified within the report, five of which were already being actioned.

The summary also referenced monitoring the Local Development Plan, but it was noted that SWW are not a statutory consultee.

Members of the Group requested that the Executive Summary is made available and Nick Murch would check that this can be released.

Nigel Thomas-Childs reiterated the need for SWW to update the Odour Management Plan accordingly following the odour survey.  There is a need to demonstrate compliance with the Waste Permit which is linked to the sewage treatment works.

Further investigation would take place as to whether ECC were maintaining the pumping station at Reed Walk.

The date of the next meeting was arranged for Wednesday 7 June at 2.30pm.