Latest reports on the Maer Rocks overflow pipes
I cannot tell you everything I know as I do not want to compromise the Environment Agency ongoing investigation into SWW but I do want to provide an update following last weeks dye test by SWW.
I was fortunate to actually be there during the test on the first day.
SWW did not tell ESCAPE about the second day of tests so we missed that. An admin error they say but fortunately one of our members stopped by on his walk and witnessed most of it.
As I was actually physically present for several hours, spoke with the senior SWW engineer and the EA guy at length and was there when the dye came out of the broken pipe I know exactly what occurred, what was said and the views of both the senior SWW engineer and the EA representative.
You may have seen statements published by the Exmouth Journal and DevonLive last week issued by SWW to say that they had completed the promised dye test to locate the Maer Road Sewage Pumping Station emergency and storm overflow pipe location.
They stated things like the pipe was where they expected it to be and was operating as they expected and was located within the permitted area so all was well.
The Exmouth Journal and DevonLive (part of the same media group who regularly post paid for articles from SWW written as if they are real news articles) presumably published (both have now been removed) the SWW statements without crosschecking them or asking EA for their view on the situation.
Similar statements were sent by SWW to Exmouth Town Council, East Devon District Council and Simon Jupp MP. Fortunately those organisations are in contact with ESCAPE and EA and they chose to check the facts of the matter before simply promoting SWW point of view.
It is very interesting that SWW have not published these statements themselves but only offered them to others to publish on their behalf.
The Environmental Agency is undertaking an investigation of the Maer Road / Maer Rocks overflow pipe to determine in SWW breached its permit and so illegally overflowed sewage and caused pollution. They are investigating why SWW, though they knew that the pipe was broken, had not self reported this to EA and had not worked quicker to investigate it and repair it. EA are investigating if the end of the pipe or indeed the break in the pipe is at its permit stated location. If not it is potentially in breach of its permit and a new permit may be required.
EA are investigating if the several hundred tankers of sewage that were dumped into Maer Road SPS across December 23 and hence spilled out through this broken pipe whilst the SPS was already overflowing were hence “wilful pollution”.
EA are investigating if, as was stated by a SWW contractor to David Parsley of iNews, that a storm pump at Maer Road SPS had failed and had been failed for some time, making all overflows during that period illegal.
This pumping station and its location and cause of overflows is central to Jo Batemans legal claim for loss of amenity against SWW and the outcome of the EA investigation will surely have an impact on that claim.
So its no surprise that SWW are trying to get their story out, their narrative, their version of the truth and have that published by ETC, EDDC, Exmouth Journal, DevonLive, Simon Jupp MP. Its no surprise that SWW want you to believe that they broke no rules, all is well, all is within permit and they want to get that out before the Environment Agency have chance to properly review the facts, the results and to come to a proper considered conclusion.
It is the Environment Agency that issues the permits. It is the Environment Agency that will decide if the Maer Road SPS overflow pipe has breached those permit conditions and it is the Environment Agency that we should listen to and believe. The EA are the police acting to protect the public and holding criminals to account. Listen to the EA, publish their findings, not SWWs alternative truth.
I am pleased to say that many now understand that what SWW tell them is not necessarily the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth. Now people are asking questions, checking SWW statements, no longer blindly believing and repeating their propaganda. Hopefully the tide is turning and its not just the public that can see the subterfuge of SWW. Do not believe everything you read in the papers.
East Devon Watch 