Have you had a chance to listen to Destination Cranleigh’s Cranleigh Community Radio number 23? Have a listen here
Cranleigh Society current Chair Trevor talks about where the streams are and how we need to keep them clean. If you see them getting blocked up please let Cranleigh Parish Council know. It’s time to get back to working on what worries us such as potential flooding and the various problems, including sewage coming up where it shouldn’t. We will be contacting MP Angela Richardson for her help in this matter.
How clean are our rivers?
The newspaper – The Times – this week said that we are suffering from Rivers of Shame due to raw sewage finding its way into rivers – here is a link to the article here
Who is responsible for allowing what into the rivers and streams? is the privately owned water companies and the farmers for example, and what about the public?
and who makes sure they are clean enough? Well, the Government would say it has the Environment Agency to make sure our rivers are clean and safe for wildlife. But can we leave it to them?
Environment Agency Government site says “We were established in 1996 to protect and improve the environment. We have around 10,600 employees. Our head office is in Bristol and we have another office in London. We have offices across England, divided into 14 areas listed below. See a map of our areas. Within England we’re responsible for:
regulating major industry and waste
treatment of contaminated land
water quality and resources
fisheries
inland river, estuary and harbour navigations
conservation and ecology
We are also responsible for managing the risk of flooding from main rivers, reservoirs, estuaries and the sea. Lead local flood authorities (LLFAs) are responsible for managing the risk of flooding from surface water, groundwater and ordinary watercourses and lead on community recovery. More detail about who is responsible for managing flood risks.”
We at Cranleigh Society have, over the years, with the help of the Right Honorable Anne Milton, held Thames Water to account concerning the quality of water they emit into our tiny rivers in and around Cranleigh. The rivers are named Cranleigh Waters, Littlemead Brook, Wey & Arun Canal, Cobblers Brook, Thornhurst Brook, and others. There are several ponds too including on the Common, and Vachery pond.
Looking at a map of Cranleigh on Google it’s easy to see our rivers are a major part of Cranleigh and need to be cared for, for us, for wildlife and for the future.
The Sewage (Inland Waters) Bill
According to The Angling Trust “Our rivers are in crisis. In 2019 water companies released raw sewage into our rivers more than 200,000 times, equating to more than 1.5 million hours. In September this year data from the Environment Agency revealed that not a single river in England achieved good chemical status and only 14% were classed as being of good ecological status. Sewage discharges by water companies into our rivers, lakes and waterways are suffocating our precious fish biodiversity and further degrading our environment. You can be a part of the urgent change needed to hold water companies to account for their actions and put an end to this pollution. The Sewage (Inland Waters) Bill is going through Parliament right now and we need your help to write to your MP to support the Bill.”
“If you witness a pollution incident, it is important to report it. Making the regulator (for example the Environment Agency and Natural England)aware of an incident is an essential step to make sure the polluter is held to account for their actions.”
Government web site – “Summary of the Sewage (Inland Waters) Bill 2019-21
A Bill to place a duty on water companies to ensure that untreated sewage is not discharged into rivers and other inland waters; and for connected purposes.”
Rain affects us in Cranleigh because we are supplied with many rivers and streams. Local flooding is likely.
Autumn leaves are causing drains to block up and we all need to clear these when we can.
Environment Agency advice – “Cranleigh Waters – Flooding is possible – be prepared. Property flooding is not currently expected. River levels remain high on the Cranleigh Waters following heavy rainfall but are beginning to fall. Therefore flooding of roads and low lying land is expected to continue. There is no further rainfall forecast tonight with a few showers possible tomorrow (15/11/19). We are closely monitoring the situation. Please remain safe and aware of your local surroundings and refer to the ‘River and Sea levels in England’ webpage for current river levels. This message will be updated tomorrow morning, 15/11/19, or as the situation changes.”
Flood Forum Update – Our MP Anne Milton calls this meeting and requires a panel of experts to attend for one hour to answer important questions posed last time, and to take away actions. Next meeting Friday 22nd March, Cranleigh Band Room, 10.30 am. We have microphones and a PA system. We will provide notes about the panel and the topics.
INSURANCE – Cranleigh Civic Society is concerned about housing being built on land that is known to flood. It is difficult to understand the expert reports to Waverley’s planning department, explaining how the flood risks are to be managed. CCS has been in contact with an insurance company and also the Association of British Builders (ABI). There is a scheme called “Flood Re”, set up by Government, to make sure that homes built before 2009 can get flood insurance. But those built afterwards cannot IF they are built on sites with a high chance of flooding. Also the “Flood Re” insurance will come to an end in 2039. So people who look at buying new properties (anywhere) are advised to look at the planning applications comments and objections in case they are thought to be at risk.
The Environment Agency now has Cranleigh on its Flood Alert service https://flood-warning-information.service.gov.uk/warnings
“Cranleigh Waters Flooding is possible – be prepared – Property flooding is not currently expected. River levels have risen on the Cranleigh Waters as a result of rainfall last night and this morning (04/03/19). Therefore, flooding of roads and farmland is expected. Further light rain showers are forecast over the next few hours. We expect river levels to remain high this afternoon and start falling this evening. We are closely monitoring the situation. Please remain safe and aware of your local surroundings and refer to the ‘River and Sea levels in England’ web page for current river levels. This message will be updated this evening, or as the situation changes.
This information was last updated at
Rivers – we will continue to “river dip” soon – we will be looking for the tiny lavae of river flies – these are the food for other species and fish, and show if the water is clean enough. Surrey Wildlife Trust are actively setting up improvements to the water ways. n.b. fallen tree trunks and branches can safely be left in the waterways!
Sewage treatment works – is run by Thames Water. All we know is that they must provide suitable fresh water and sewerage treatment works for the number of people living in each area. We also know that there is sometimes a problem with sewage items coming up in homes and streets. if this happens call Thames Water and they will attend the scene and fix what they can. Then also tell Cranleigh Parish Council for their records.
Fresh Water supplies – we will be asking TW for an update on their project to bring a new pipeline to our area in the next 6 or so years.
Replacement of old Asbestos Cement drinking water pipes – we continue to press Waverley Borough Council to ensure all the old asbestos cement drinking water pipes in Cranleigh are replaced before any more new homes get connected to them, to take away any risks associated with the release of asbestos fibres into the water system. In January 2017, Cranleigh Civic Society issued a Hazard Report about this to Waverley and we asked Waverley to risk assess the hazard. They have not been able to take action for various reasons. In February 2017, the Government’s Health and Safety Executive also wrote to Waverley asking them to risk assess Cranleigh Civic Society’s hazard report, but so far, over 2 years later, Waverley has not reported success. Cranleigh Parish Council have written to WHO and there is some hope that funding can be found for them to investigate any health risks.
Testing of Cranleigh’s rivers has always taken place occasionally and now Surrey Wildlife Trust is helping to get more testing done and some improvements made.
Chemical levels are measured by groups of volunteers as are the numbers of river fly larvae, which indicate the health levels.
It is a fact that all sewage works clean the water as best they can before letting it go into the rivers. Here are two more facts:
The levels of chemicals that remain, although allowed by government, are not good for wild life and cause the depletion of fish and their natural foods.
In a flood situation, foul untreated sewage does come up in people’s homes which is why all the possessions have to be destroyed in the worst cases.
River dipping is a much needed and scientific past-time that some of us have undertaken on everyone’s behalf . We are hunting for river-flies as they are known, the tiny lavae of various species such as cadis fly, which are collected, counted and returned to the rivers. Afterwards the data collected is viewed by experts.
At a recent dip we found just one lava along with shrimps, and so the water is probably not to their liking, too many chemicals from somewhere.
We were dipping near to the back of Cranleigh Golf and Country club.
A section of the Wey and Arun Canal is apparently Under Reconstruction near us here in Cranleigh.
As you drive along Elmbridge Road between the One Stop and the A218 the narrow hump with traffic calming is a sort of bridge over it.
How would it be if that part of the road were made into a proper double width bridge travelling responsibly over the Canal? It could then be dredged and restored.
But who owns the land and will it ever happen? How could Surrey County Council ever afford such a project? Would you support it?
You might like to join the Wey & Arun Trust and support the wonderful work they do – for wildlife corridors and fresh air lungs for our built up areas https://weyarun.org.uk/
Please sign up to help restore our local “Rivers” – Cranleigh Waters! Will you join in so that the water flows better and the wildlife come back? We all want and need a thriving river. It starts with counting what’s there at the moment.
SURREY WILDLIFE TRUST
Surrey Wildlife Trust has secured some funds to do some much needed restoration works but really need volunteers to help on the following days :-
Wednesday 29th August 10am till 3pm
Saturday 15th September 10am till 3pm
IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO HELP PLEASE CONTACT GLENSKELTON YOURSELVES AT
glen.skelton@surreywt.org.uk
“The project: In partnership with Thames Water, Surrey Wildlife Trust are working to restore the Cranleigh Waters back to a thriving river. To do this we need your help. We are recruiting volunteers in the area to join our team of regular Riverfly monitors who sample the aquatic life that lives on the river bed”
Please also consider joining Surrey Wildlife Trust – they are amazing and there are not enough staff to look after everything that needs to be cared for.
