Cllr Henry Riddel writes on facebook

On the 25th July I responded to a letter I received from Susan Davy, CEO of The PenonGroup. Please read the attached response from her. You can also find information about planned works in Budleigh Salterton using this link: https://www.southwestwater.co.uk/…/budleigh-salterton

First, here is the link to the article about Henry’s original letter which includes the full text. It contains a series of detailed questions, written in conjunction with Peter Williams.

This is the Text of Susan Davy’s response:

Sent via email

9 August 2024

Dear Councillor Riddell,

Thank you for your further letter dated 25 July regarding South West Water’s activity in Budleigh Salterton. I hope to set out our response to each of the points you have raised below.

To your point regarding storm overflows, I recognise that lower rainfall in 2022 contributed to reducing overflows, much like the 50 per cent increase rainfall in the last six months of 2023 caused an increase in storm overflow activity, If anything, this serves to highlight how much storm overflow activity is weather dependent, along with increased demands on the network by population increases, tourism and development. We also experienced ten named storms back-to-back in the latter months of the year, along with yellow weather warnings which tested the resilience of our assets and operations. The impact of the extreme weather has varied across our operations. with the wetter weather supporting the recovery of our reservoir storage and water resources, but the increased rainfall and high groundwater levels driving up the use of storm overflows.

I fully accept the way our existing network operates isn’t what millions want and expect, but a product of how our system was first built and developed over time. If I had to design and build an entirely new system today, this wouldn’t be my choice. Nevertheless, I want to stress that we are serious about tackling storm overflows. As you will appreciate, however, change of this scale takes time, ambition, and increased investment – and that is why we are investing £930 million in our region over the next two years, with an additional £70 million of investment accelerated. We were one of the first water companies to have 100 per cent storm overflow monitoring and will also be one of the first water companies to meet the Government target of less than 10 spills per overflow, per year a decade ahead of target. I know we have to step up and accelerate progress to meet this target.

Turning to your specific questions. I have spoken with my colleagues that you recently met and have responded to each point raised.

Firstly, regarding your query about emergency overflow discharges. We can confirm that there have been no discharges from Lime Kiln emergency overflow into the Kersbrook since 26 July 2023. Budleigh Salterton has been selected as one of our beaches for enhanced daily bathing water monitoring and sampling, which began on 15 July 2024. We are sampling for E. coli in Kersbrook and any high readings will be sent off for Microbial Source Tracking (MST). We hope this will provide a clearer understanding of what is causing elevated levels.

Secondly,  water ingress, also known as infiltration, is a reoccurring issue within the Budleigh Salterton area. although this year we are seeing particularly high levels. We have a programme of work, which my colleagues have taken you through, to address this which will keep disruption to an absolute minimum. We have conducted CCTV surveys in May and June this year within the catchment of Lime Kiln Sewage Pumping Station (SPS) and have identified several areas requinng rehabilitation. Following these investigations, we are scoping works to re-line the sewer within Fore Street and details are yet to be finalised, focussing on minimising disruption to customers affected by this work.

It is worth noting that the infiltration problems will increase spills in 2024, The above plan will reduce infiltration and after 2024. this will return overflow performance to that of the previous year. As my team have explained, the longer-term plan is then to pump more to the sewage treatment works (STW) for treatment. This also includes surface water separation to reduce the flow that is being pumped up. The STW upgrades are being designed now with the intention that treatment capacity is achieved by 2028 – two years ahead of the compliance date given by the Environment Agency. The upgrade to Lime Kilns SPS would align with this. The additional flows would therefore be fully treated, and no additional storm volumes will be discharged at the STW overflow, and therefore there will be no negative impact on Budleigh’s water quality.

Thirdly, we are committed to providing updates to our customers when we are carrying out works in the community and do so via a range of platforms, whether it be via SMS text messages, email, social media and voice messages depending on the circumstances. We have also now published a dedicated page on South West Water’s website for Budleigh Salterton which will provide information on upcoming infiltration works: httos://www.southwestwater. co.uk/about-ustwhat-we-do/improvilu-your-service/projects-and-investmentibudleigh-salterton. I hope both you and your local constituents find this useful.

Lastly, in response to your concern about storm discharges, we have been taking regular water quality samples of the bathing water at Budleigh. This began on the 2 June and remains ongoing. No evidence of sewage related pollution was observed, with all samples meeting ‘Good’ to ‘Excellent’ bathing water standards. Samples were obtained as the storm discharges were occurring and there is no evidence of impact on the receiving waters. As you are aware, bathing water sampling is the responsibility of the Environment Agency.

We welcome your feedback on WaterFit Live and I have shared this with the relevant team for consideration as they develop further updates.

I am sorry for the disruption caused by the recent work to fix the leak next to the SPAR shop. Our teams worked hard to repair this as quickly as possible. My team are on hand to answer any queries about any of our works in the community and endeavour to provide proactive updates. If you have any queries or concerns. please contact councilenquiriesPennon-grouP.co.uk for a timely response.

I know we need to do more to rebuild trust and confidence in our operations, As Chief Executive, I look forward to working with communities and our stakeholders to do just that. I have asked our Managing Director for Waste Water Services. Richard Price, to meet with you at a mutually convenient time in the near future to discuss your concerns in more detail.

I trust the above goes some way in addressing your concerns.

Yours Sincerely,

(Signed) Susan Davy, Chief Executive Officer, Pennon Group E: sdavy@pennon-group.co.uk

Peter Williams has commented:

“Good to see some actual detail in Susan Davy’s response to Henry’s letters this time.

The timeline for lining the sewer main in Fore Street is later than planned (Sept vs July), but – when completed – this should make a substantial difference.

Also good to see they have followed through on our request for a dedicated web page detailing what they are doing to fix Lime Kiln pumping station.

Some progress I’d say, and a little more honest than previous platitudes!”

Owl also notes “some progress” but is inclined to be a little less charitable.

Susan Davy spends her first two paragraphs blaming the weather and moaning that the sewage system she “inherited” was not designed the way she would have chosen. [Surprise, surprise!]

[The things you have to do to earn a £1m crust these days!]

Looks like a case of a bad workman blaming her tools.

The essence of her reply is that it will all come good in 2028 when the Exmouth sewage treatment works are “upgraded” alongside increased pumping from the Budleigh Lime Kiln holding tank (with a little bit of surface water separation as well). Owl seems to remember that last December’s experiment in boosting pump pressure in Exmouth didn’t end well. – Stop Press – see below!

South West Water’s record on meeting investment deadlines is on “amber” alert, one of the worst in the industry and SWW has yet to submit any plans.

Stop Press

Coincidentally, as Owl was preparing this article a sewer main leading to this very treatment works burst, flooding the area, reported by Escape prompting an apology from Grace Denning, South West Water:· 

Geoff Crawford: “I hear some say that this has been running across the field and down Maer Lane, across into Littleham brook, out to sea all week.”

I guess the new daily water sample tests have picked that up.

Finally her parting shot

Finally: According to Susan Davy, South West Water is conducting more independent pollution sampling in bathing waters and rivers. At the Otter Head she states: “samples were obtained as the storm discharges were occurring and there is no evidence of impact on the receiving waters.” Owl finds this difficult to accept and wonders whether the sampling points are being “gamed”.